1 Timothy 6:18 – To Get, To Give
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give…
"The test of moderation," discerns Charles Krauthammer in his aptly named book The Point of It All, "is not what you want but what you're willing to give."
The wealthy Christians in Ephesus, Paul trusts, will change by the Holy Spirit's work. He positions Timothy to confront their old grasping habits and mindset, and thereby to release the true purpose of their holy ambition in Christ. This new life, he assures as verse 18 continues, is born with readiness to give.
Krauthammer is right. Charting of the slow death of the old man, and the slow emergence of the new man in Christ confirms that our selfish wants don't go away. A new picture in our heads and hearts, though, of our purpose and that of the opportunities we are given is what angers moderation in practice.
We learn from Christ, first by the dictates of His confronting Word, then by love for His example and coming order, that we don't get to keep what we used to chase. Moths, and rust, and thieves will ensure a cumulative depreciation which will render a selfish life worthless. In Him, though, we can repurpose those disappointed desires. We can hitch them, as Paul similarly emphasizes, to storing up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
The extent of the new life He creates in us, and the extent of His willingness to live that life with us day by day and choice by choice, is revealed in Paul's challenge that we be ready to give. In some ways, it would be easier if His call to the rich young ruler to sell all he had was universal. Yet, He will not replace one Law with another. Instead, He leaves goods in our possession, and often enough goods that we be considered rich, so long as we have them, and they do not have us.
He is certain enough of His ability to instill discipline by devotion that He is willing for us, so recently enslaved to the idea of wealth to hold those goods for Him. Only Christ could be faithful to complete what He started under such conditions. I would sooner leave a full cookie jar within reach of a toddler.
Yet, readiness to give has a fighting chance, and by faith a certainty of victory, because Christ appears ever more lovely by comparison. Yes, today goods, and compliments on how we get them, will pass through us. But His Spirit abides in us now to help us frame those transactions to His glory. Gratitude is firmly rooted. It may not flower for all to see through every season, but just as we WILL put our crowns at His feet, so the activities He engineers for us to get those crowns will be rendered in connection to His ultimate glory.
"The test of moderation," discerns Charles Krauthammer in his aptly named book The Point of It All, "is not what you want but what you're willing to give."
The wealthy Christians in Ephesus, Paul trusts, will change by the Holy Spirit's work. He positions Timothy to confront their old grasping habits and mindset, and thereby to release the true purpose of their holy ambition in Christ. This new life, he assures as verse 18 continues, is born with readiness to give.
Krauthammer is right. Charting of the slow death of the old man, and the slow emergence of the new man in Christ confirms that our selfish wants don't go away. A new picture in our heads and hearts, though, of our purpose and that of the opportunities we are given is what angers moderation in practice.
We learn from Christ, first by the dictates of His confronting Word, then by love for His example and coming order, that we don't get to keep what we used to chase. Moths, and rust, and thieves will ensure a cumulative depreciation which will render a selfish life worthless. In Him, though, we can repurpose those disappointed desires. We can hitch them, as Paul similarly emphasizes, to storing up for ourselves treasures in Heaven.
The extent of the new life He creates in us, and the extent of His willingness to live that life with us day by day and choice by choice, is revealed in Paul's challenge that we be ready to give. In some ways, it would be easier if His call to the rich young ruler to sell all he had was universal. Yet, He will not replace one Law with another. Instead, He leaves goods in our possession, and often enough goods that we be considered rich, so long as we have them, and they do not have us.
He is certain enough of His ability to instill discipline by devotion that He is willing for us, so recently enslaved to the idea of wealth to hold those goods for Him. Only Christ could be faithful to complete what He started under such conditions. I would sooner leave a full cookie jar within reach of a toddler.
Yet, readiness to give has a fighting chance, and by faith a certainty of victory, because Christ appears ever more lovely by comparison. Yes, today goods, and compliments on how we get them, will pass through us. But His Spirit abides in us now to help us frame those transactions to His glory. Gratitude is firmly rooted. It may not flower for all to see through every season, but just as we WILL put our crowns at His feet, so the activities He engineers for us to get those crowns will be rendered in connection to His ultimate glory.
Comments
Post a Comment