1 Timothy 6:17-21

This letter from Paul to Timothy is a personal letter.  What that means is that Paul speaks to Timothy, not as if he was teaching him or teaching a class, but as a father would instruct a son (1:2).  We see this in this closing chapter as Paul is free to move in and out of the different aspects of what he is doing for Timothy.  Since 5:1 Paul has been talking about the way we treat one another in the household of God (3:15).  In chapter 6 his concern is with situations involving wealth.  Slaves need to serve their masters (v1-2).  But then Paul addresses those who may consider wealth to be a pursuit of life (v3-10).  While elders who study and teach the word well are worthy of double-honor (5:17), their ministry is not a way to get rich.  Obviously this touches Timothy because he is involved in ministry.  So in 6:11 Paul encourages Timothy to pursue Christ (v11-16).  Then he returns to give positive encouragement to those who are wealthy (v17-19) before concluding with a final exhortation to Timothy (v20-21).

What do those who have an excess of this world’s goods need to do?  First, they must be careful not to trust in their wealth; they must not become haughty as if they are better than others.  Let us not deny that this is a problem.  Again and again, in the church, we have acted like those James addressed in James 2:1-13.  Some show deference to the wealthy, allowing them to serve as leaders simply because of their wealth.  We all need to consider this, but those who are rich can help if they do not act like they deserve special attention or recognition.  

Second, those who are wealthy need to see their wealth as a gift from the Lord that is to be used for the building up of His Church.  It is no different than any other blessing from God.  How He gifts us tells us how we can best serve.  It is no different for any believer: we lay hold of eternal life by fighting the good fight of faith (6:12).  In the case of those who are wealthy they store up treasures in heaven by the use of their wealth.  Likewise those who are strong physically can store up treasures in heaven by using their strength.  

This is not an easy truth to maintain in a church fellowship.  Thus Paul’s encouragement to Timothy at the end is appropriate.  Timothy’s wealth is in his position as a shepherd.  He has been gifted appropriately for this by the Lord (2 Tim. 1:6) but must faithfully stay on track, not allowing his ministry and teaching to stray into that which is profane (common, ordinary), idle (a waste of time) or contradictory (arguments based in the wisdom of the world).  For a pastor this is at the very heart of his good fight of faith.

Now the question is, what is your asset given you from the Lord?  As you think of this, do not become haughty imagining how important and indispensable you are.  Rather commit it and yourself to the Lord, to use your gifts for His Body.