1 Timothy 6:17-19: How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Money
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
This is my favorite passage about money in the Bible because it’s so practical. There are a lot of instructions for how we are to view money, use money, and interact with money.
The passage comes from a letter that was written by the Apostle Paul to Timothy, a young church leader who he mentored. Paul says, “As for the rich in this present age,” meaning that these were the instructions that he wanted Timothy to provide to the rich as he spoke with them and discipled them.
Do you consider yourself rich in this present age? Here in the U.S., there’s always someone wealthier than us, so it’s easy not to think of ourselves as rich. After all, you probably didn’t take a rocket to space this summer like Jeff Bezos. However, if you consider the U.S. in 2021, it’s one of the wealthiest nations ever in the history of the earth. The truth is, most of us reading this blog post do qualify as rich in this present age. As such, this charge is to us.
What Christians Shouldn’t Do With Money
Be Haughty
Haughty simply means prideful or considering yourself superior. There is a tendency that as our wealth grows, we begin to think of it as something that we have accomplished that might mean we are better than other people. We are tempted to look at it and think, “Look what I’ve done.”
God says that’s the wrong view because he is the owner of everything. As stewards, God is the owner of our wealth and has entrusted it to us. There is really no justification for being haughty and prideful because we’re not responsible for the wealth that we have. God is.
Set Your Hopes on the Uncertainty of Riches
It’s important that Paul pointed out that riches are uncertain. We shouldn’t look to money as an idol or god. It shouldn’t be viewed as the source of our strength or confidence. It is dangerous to depend on money the way you should depend on God.
If you look back at verses nine and ten of this passage, they say:
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (ESV)
It’s worth noting that it does not say that you need to give all of your money away as Jesus instructed the rich young ruler. It just says to be careful. I don’t believe that money is a bad thing or something to be avoided, but that’s not where our hope should be.
What Christians Should Do With Money
Put Your Hope in God who Provides for our Enjoyment
Where should your hope be, if not in your wealth? Paul says that instead of putting our hope in our riches, we should put it in God. We are not the ones who have provided for ourselves, God has.
Not only does God provide for us, Paul says he “richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” He doesn’t just provide for our survival, he provides for our enjoyment as well. While we should be generous, this passage doesn’t indicate that we are to give away every last dollar as some advocate. Rather, we are to find a balance between our own enjoyment and generosity.
Do Good & Be Rich in Good Works
What are the rich to do besides just enjoy their wealth? Do good. Each one of us should be always on the lookout for opportunities to do good in the world. We shouldn’t just be rich financially, we should be rich in good works as well. We can use our financial riches to enable our good works and the good that we do.
Be Generous and Ready to Share
One way that we can combine enjoying our wealth with doing good works is by being generous.
Numerous studies have found that generosity impacts the giver in many positive ways, from higher self-esteem and happiness to better health and a longer life. Paul encourages us to live with an open hand instead of a clenched fist, trying to hold on to what God has so freely given us.
The End Result
What is the result of living this way? Refraining from pride, putting our hope in God instead of riches, and being generous in good works? When we do that, we are storing up treasures in heaven, building a strong foundation for the future. That is how we take hold of that which is truly life.
God asks us to live this way, not because he’s demanding of great sacrifice, but because he knows that it is how we are most satisfied and find the most joy. It is a lifestyle that glorifies God.
Paul’s words to Timothy are great instructions to live by. It is a way to view your money that is counter-cultural in many ways, but one that yields results that are far superior. We should all be thankful for the wealth that we have while at the same time not holding it so tightly that we put our hope in it or it creates pride in us.
If you’re looking for a financial advisor that is not afraid to go counterculture and answer to a higher standard, consider one of the members of the Christian Financial Advisors Network. You can read more about them here.
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