Rich in Good Works 1 Timothy 6:18

As Paul the apostle continued with his closing words in this first letter to Timothy his “son in the faith”, he wrote concerning those who “are rich in this world”. Paul desired for Timothy to “charge” them “that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”. In chapter six and verse eighteen of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives further instruction to Timothy about the “rich” and what they should be doing with their wealth. We read:

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

The verse begins, “That they do good, that they be rich in good works,...” Paul began this verse with, “That they” which is a continued reference to the “rich”, “do good” which means “do well, work well and do rightly” “that they be rich” or “have abundance and richly supplied” “in good works” or “business, employment, that which any one is occupied or undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking, acts, deeds or things done”. Rather than simply become “highminded”, wasteful and self-indulgent with their resources, the “rich in this world” were to be “charged” toward using their wealth for good deeds.

The verse continues, “...ready to distribute, willing to communicate;” Paul continued with, “ready to distribute” which means “to be present, exist or happen with freedom to impart and liberal”. Paul added, “willing to communicate” which means “be inclined to be social, sociable, ready and apt to form and maintain communion and fellowship, and ready to make others sharers in one's possessions.” It further means “to impart, be free in giving and liberal”. Those who are “rich in this world” were to be “willing” to use their wealth to help others with their resources.

While we ponder Paul's words, perhaps we should take inventory of ourselves and examine if we are “rich in this world”? What do we do with our resources and wealth? Do we use them for doing good works? Are we “ready” to impart them and “willing” to make others sharers in our possessions? It should help us to realize that our wealth and every resource we have actually belongs to Our Heavenly Father, and if we have been blessed with any “riches” in this world, we only possess them for a short time. Paul's idea was for the “rich in this world” to help others with their wealth, and we would do well to go before the Lord Jesus and ask Him if we are using His resources in the manner which Paul describes. May the Lord Jesus help us in this area of obedience.

Next time Paul tells more about what the rich should do, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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