by Bible League International

Verse of the Day and Devotion

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share...  - I Timothy 6:18 ESV

Devotion

You've been blessed financially. Although you might protest, most people would say that you're rich. After all, you have everything you need. Indeed, you have more than enough. Instead of living hand to mouth, you store up the excess. Instead of scraping the funds together to pay the bills, you hire someone to pay them for you.

So, given your wealth, what do you do from the biblical point of view? The Apostle Paul has the answer:

First, you make an attitude adjustment. In the previous verse Paul says, "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." (I Timothy 6:17) In other words, don't be so proud to think that your riches will always be there for you. In and of themselves, riches are uncertain. All it takes is an unexpected stock market crash, a housing collapse, a downturn in the economy, etc., and you're in trouble. Trust in riches is a poor substitute for trust in God.

Second, you do what our verse for today says you should do:

You do good. That is, you do good with the financial resources you have. Instead of acting like the rich fool who said to himself, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry" (Luke 12:19), you get to work making wise investments that create new products and services, companies, and jobs. You do good by putting your wealth to work in ways that will bless people, including yourself.

You also do good works. You use your wealth to finance endeavors in the not-for-profit world. There are churches that need to be built, missionary endeavors that need to be supplied, Christian schools and colleges that need operating funds, and the list goes on. You make yourself a partner of these worthy endeavors.

And you also share what you have, especially with your fellow believers. Elsewhere Paul says, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:10)

It takes money to expand and enhance the Kingdom of God. You have the money. Start, then, to make the kind of investments that will reward you for all eternity." (I Timothy 6:19)