In 1 Timothy 6, Paul writes to his son in the ministry, Timothy, about how to live in a world that is focused on money and materialism as a child of God. In verses 10-11, he stresses the potential of the love of money being an agent of evil. He suggests that “in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” He encourages Timothy to “shun all this,” and “pursue instead righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.” He seems to indicate that one cannot be a follower of Christ and at the same time pursue riches. Jesus once told His disciples that they cannot love God and wealth. It seems that Paul is suggesting that rich people cannot be disciples of Jesus.
Yet, in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he tells Timothy how to instruct “those who are rich in this present world.” He suggests that a follower of Christ may be rich and it not be an evil thing. The instructions Paul gives to the rich include not being arrogant and not putting their trust in wealth, rather putting their trust in God. He also makes suggestions as to what they should do with their wealth. They are to do good,be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.
Jesus told the rich young ruler the same thing when asked what the ruler must do to inherit eternal life. After suggesting that he keep the commandments, Jesus tells him to go and sell everything he has and give the proceeds to the poor. The rich man, according to Matthew, went away grieving because he was very wealthy and not willing to give that up.
Perhaps we can learn something from Paul’s teachings and the teachings of Jesus concerning how to deal with riches as a child of God. First of all, being wealthy is not a sin. It is what we do with our wealth that determines whether or not it is a blessing or a curse. In the scope of the world economy, we Americans are wealthy, no matter whether we consider ourselves that way or not. The question is not how much money do you have; the question is how do you use your money? Paul and Jesus suggest that it is a matter of focus and who my master is. If I trust in my wealth and my focus is on what I have and how to get more, I have lost sight of my responsibility and relationship with God. I should put my trust in heavenly things that will not rust and fade away with time. During the Depression of the 1930s, the very wealthy committed suicide at an alarming rate because they could not cope with life without their riches. On the other hand, the poor seemed to survive in numbers because they put their sense of worth in other things like hard work, family, and God.
Those of us who are blessed with wealth, according to Jesus and Paul, are to remain focused on God and others rather than our possessions. We are to do good, be rich in good works, and be generous and willing to share with the less fortunate. Jesus suggested that it was very difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, but He did not say that it was impossible. Those who put their wealth in the proper perspective and “seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness,” will be a blessing because they will see their wealth as something that God can use to help those who do not have enough. According to Jesus in Matthew 25, these are the ones who will hear an invitation to enter the Kingdom…those who have fed the hungry, visited the strangers, and helped “the least of these.” Because when they have done this, they have done it also unto Jesus.
In our world, it is hard to not focus on wealth. The New Testament warns against that being our focus if we claim to be Children of God. When we have more than we need, we should ask, “How can I use my surplus wealth to help those who are in need of the necessities of life,” rather than planning to build bigger barns and party because we have been blessed with wealth. This is the way people of the Kingdom handle their wealth.
JES Musings 