“Charge them that are Rich in this World”

“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17

WHEN you see and are ministered to by people doing God’s work, that’s your opportunity to participate in, to fuel the Gospel of Jesus – and lay up treasure for yourself in Heaven, as Jesus instructed, instead of wasting those resources on the temporal, never to be able to use them or see any result again (Matthew 6:19-21). You have an “account” in glory. did you know that? What’s in your heavenly account?

Now let’s read Proverbs 3:9-10. Do you want your barns filled with plenty and new wine bursting forth from your presses?

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

1 Timothy 6

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

The first inspired command in this passage that the apostle Paul gives to his understudy, Timothy, is to charge the rich believers to be charitable with the wealth the LORD has enabled to be under their care.

Then comes the command for those rich in this world to “be not highminded.”  Those rich in this life have the tendency of believing they are better than others due to the money in their possession. This is totally delusional because Jesus says “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15)

In the passage the Word speaks of those who are “rich in this world” and how they are to be “rich in good works.” Believers who are “rich in this world” are to be  “rich in good works.”The word “rich” simply means to be abundant. So, those Christians who are abundant in material and/or monetary wealth in this fleeting world, are to be charged to be abundant in charitable works/giving.

How could any true, God-fearing person sit on thousands or millions of dollars and not joyfully and feverishly search out and fund authentic Gospel ministries?

Is it a sin to be “rich in this world”? No, but the LORD instructs those who are “rich in this world” are to be “rich in good works.”

•         be not highminded
•         do not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God
•         Be reminded that the LORD gives us richly (abundantly) all things to enjoy
•         To do good
•         To be rich in good works
•         To be ready to distribute of what they have to aid others
•         To lay up treasure for eternity and in light of the Judgment to come
•         To lay hold on eternal life by not allowing greed and the love of this world to swallow up their faith

Earlier in this all-important New Testament chapter the Holy Spirit warns:

“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:9-12

In caring for souls, we should charged those that are rich to be rich givers and keep their souls from the snare of green and hoarding, ultimately leading them to eternal damnation.

When we have abundance in this world, we are to be rich in giving and are promised to be blessed for this eternally.

Todd

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Jesus Sat Over Against The Treasury | Plenty | Giving Leads To Revival | Principal Hindrance to the Gospel | The Workman Is Worthy | Where To Give Your Money | Investment Portfolio | Treasures In Heaven | Charge Them | Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures | Greedy, Covetous, and Beguiled! | Rich in Faith | Being Trusted | Beware of Covetousness (audio) | Should I Blindly Give to My Church? | Stewardship Category

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