Paul writes to Timothy: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
You can hold onto your money because you love it and trust it so. Or you can be generous - rich in good deeds, more than rich in money.
Treasure in Heaven Is Built by Giving
Paul says real treasure, heavenly treasure, is built up by those who are generous and giving.
I read this sweet little poem in a Christian magazine asking for people to give money towards mission work:
Use your money whilst you're living,
Do not hoard it to be proud:
You can never take it with you,
There's no pocket in a shroud.
Gold can help you on no farther
Than the graveyard where you'll lie.
And though rich whilst you are living,
You're a pauper when you die.
Use it then some life to brighten,
As through life you weary plod;
Place your bank account in heaven
And grow richer towards your God.
Help us preach this glorious gospel
To the many or the few;
Put some money into Missions;
Plainly, Sir: This is for YOU.
That got me! Though rich whilst you are living, you're a pauper when you die. So why not be generous instead of hoarding more for yourself.
Why Is Generosity So Hard?
But this is hard for us. You know the old saying that the last part of a person to be converted is their pocket. We struggle with this.
Perhaps it's because of the broken world where people so often lie, steal and cheat. We get jaded. We had somebody come into our church last year and, after winning our trust, tried to swindle us out of some money. It makes you jaded. You start getting suspicious of people, and money doesn't flow freely from your pocket because you don't want to get duped.
I get that.
Choosing Generosity Over Fear
But I think we must err on the side of generosity. We must be careful and wise, yes. We must be wise and save, absolutely. Remember Paul said in a previous chapter that we must discern who is really in need.
But let us not stop being generous because of the risks! Though rich whilst you are living, you're a pauper when you die. Place your bank account in heaven and grow richer towards your God!
Maybe somebody is in such need, and a generous act of giving from us will change everything for them.
Hear Paul’s words, and be rich in good deeds.
Paul tells Timothy to command the rich to be generous and willing to share, because heavenly treasure is built by giving. Give to someone genuinely in need this week, before suspicion talks you out of it.