1 Timothy 6:17 – The Life, or the Letter?


Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God… 1 Timothy 6:17, New King James Version

The Simpsons is a pretty good barometer of human weakness. In particular, as Springfield faces its latest crisis, I remember that the mayor and the police chief are forced to resort to reviewing the town's ancient charter. They don't find anything particularly helpful, but one of them discovers he is entitled to a comely lass, and a pig.

I believe Paul knew something about the spirit being skewered here. I believe its limitations are why, choosing from a galaxy of Divine attributes to extol as better than pride and materialism, the Holy Spirit selects an unexpected one as 1 Timothy 6:17 continues. Don't trust in riches, He says, but trust in the God Who is… Provider? Not yet. Creator? Not this time. Sovereign? No, that's not the aspect of His glory He chooses for contrast here. Through Paul, He reminds Timothy and us that God is living.

All the history majors breathe a sigh of relief. Everybody who has ever tried to draw up a contract or charter with future needs in mind is somewhat relieved. Even if the requirements we frame might not be as outdated or limited as Springfield's charter for the needs of the moment, they won't compare to the reality of a living God.

By His persevering grace, we not only get the provisions He agrees to, which might be administered by some priesthood or law firm. By His persevering grace, we get HIM, living in each moment, selecting how to manifest Himself most appropriately to the deficiency most obvious in us at the moment. Yes, the goods of the One Who owns the cattle of a thousand hills are still at His disposal, but they are not dispensed arbitrarily according to man's best guess from generations ago.

He Who knows Windows as well as He knows the well in John 4, knows social media as well as He knows the heart of King Saul, is sovereign over our requests, our needs, and any wisdom we possess in order to ask that those needs be met. No wonder the hymn can extol, "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, declaring Him superior to riches untold. Our valuation, seen through Scripture, endorses this.


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