1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: Tois plousiois en to nun aioni paraggelle (2SPAM) me hupselophronein (PAN) mede elpikenai (RAN) epi ploutou adeloteti, all' epi theo to parechonti (PAPMSD) hemin panta plousios eis apolausin,
Amplified: As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
ESV: 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.
KJV: 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;
Moffatt: Charge the rich of this world not to be supercilious, and not to fix their hopes on so uncertain a thing as riches but on the living God who richly provides us with all the enjoyments of life;
NET: Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.
NLT: Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Tell those who are rich in this present world not to be contemptuous of others, and not to rest the weight of their confidence on the transitory power of wealth but on the living God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
Weymouth: Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must not be haughty nor set their hopes on riches—that unstable foundation—but on God who provides us richly with all things for our enjoyment.
Wuest: To those who are wealthy in the present age, be giving a charge not to continue to be high-minded, neither to have their hope set upon the uncertainty of wealth, but upon God, the One who is constantly offering us all things in a rich manner to enjoy; (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: Those rich in the present age charge thou not to be high-minded, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who is giving to us all things richly for enjoyment
INSTRUCT THOSE WHO ARE RICH IN THIS PRESENT WORLD NOT TO BE CONCEITED OR TO FIX THEIR HOPE ON THE UNCERTAINTY OF RICHES, BUT ON GOD, WHO RICHLY SUPPLIES US WITH ALL THINGS TO ENJOY: ()
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
DEVOTIONAL - Command those who are rich . . . to trust . . . in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. —1Timothy 6:17
I am surrounded every day by things that don't belong to me, yet I call them mine. For instance, I refer to the computer I am using to write this article as "my Mac." I talk about "my office," "my desk," and "my phone." But none of this equipment belongs to me. It's mine to use, but not mine to keep. When RBC Ministries "gave" it to me, we both knew what that meant: It was on loan.
This kind of situation is not unique to employer-employee relationships. That's the way it is with all of us and all of the things we call our own. When we speak of our family, our house, or our car, we are speaking of people and things God has allowed us to enjoy while here on earth, but they really belong to Him. Notice the psalmist's praise to God, "The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours" (Psalm 89:11).
Understanding who really holds the title to all we possess should change our thinking. Just as I am aware that RBC lets me use its equipment to help me do my work more efficiently, so also should we be aware that everything we have is given to us to serve the Lord.
Our time, talents, and possessions are all on loan from God so that we can do His work effectively. —Dave Branon (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
God's grace sustains the gift of life,
Its labor and reward;
What we possess is not our own—
It all comes from the Lord. —D. De Haan
All we own is really on loan—from God.
1 Timothy 6:17 - THE WRONG GOD
"Command those who are rich in this present age not...to trust in uncertain riches." - 1Timothy 6:17
A missionary had been witnessing faithfully to a certain man who was an idol worshiper. One day the man placed a small statue and a silver coin on the table in front of the missionary. Then he took two slips of paper and wrote something on each. On the note by the idol he wrote the words "heathen god." On the sheet next to the silver coin he wrote the words "Christian god."
From what that man had observed in the lives of some people from so-called Christian nations, he had concluded that money was the main object of their adoration and the source of their confidence.
Many people today choose to worship the god of money. They make it the object of their trust, love, and service. But how foolish! Jesus warned, "How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mk. 10:24).
Who or what is the object of your worship? The psalmist advised, "Put your 'trust' in the Lord" (Ps. 4:5). Moses commanded, "You shall 'love' the Lord" (Dt. 6:5), and Joshua told his people, "As for me and my house, we will 'serve' the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).
Be sure that your confidence is not in the wrong god. Place your trust in Christ.- R W De Haan (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
Never let Gold become your god!
1 Timothy 6:17 (F B Meyer. Our Daily Homily)
Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God.
The contrast here is very beautiful. Men, for the most part, look to riches to supply them with all they need richly to enjoy; but the apostle says that it is beyond all comparison better to look away from dead coin to a living Person, who takes pleasure in giving liberally without upbraiding.
Here is a rebuke. — Suppose you had your cellars filled with gold coin, would you not think yourself secure against all possible need and care? Almost certainly you would. But you ought to be even more at rest, since you have neither silver nor gold, and only your Heavenly Father’s hand.
Here is a contrast. — Riches are uncertain at the best. A man in these difficult days finds it easier to gain money than to hold it. He who is rich today may awake to-morrow to find that some sudden turn of the market has made him poor. But God is not uncertain. He is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. His covenants are certainties.
Here is an appeal. — Trust in the living God with as much restfulness as others in their lands and revenues, and be almost glad if God takes away from you what you have clung to so tenaciously, that you may drop securely into his everlasting arms. You smile at the story of the lady who was told by the captain that he had done all he could for the vessel, and they must now look to the Almighty; and who replied, “O captain, has it come to that?” But you may be nearer akin to her spirit than you suppose!
Here is an assured destiny. — Those who trust in riches are pierced through with many sorrows, and are caught in the maelstrom, which drowns souls in perdition; they who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed.
1Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: agathoergein, (PAN) ploutein (PAN) en ergois kalois, eumetadotous einai, (PAN) koinonikous,
Amplified: [Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others], (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
ESV: They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
KJV: That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Moffatt: tell them to be bountiful, rich in good works, open-handed and generous,
NET: Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.
NLT: Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Tell them to do good, to be rich in kindly actions, to be ready to give to others and to sympathise with those in distress. (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them.
Weymouth: They must be beneficent, rich in noble deeds, open-handed and liberal;
Wuest: to be doing good, to be wealthy in the sphere of good works, to be liberal, sharers with others, (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: to do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to impart, willing to communicate,
INSTRUCT THEM TO DO GOOD, TO BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, TO BE GENEROUS AND READY TO SHARE: ()
CHECKUP ON YOUR CHECKBOOK - SOME evening when you have a spare moment, get out your old checkbook registers and read the entries. You will be startled to learn how you spent your money. The entries will read like a family history book, chronicling every major event—births, deaths, and illnesses—and reflecting your tastes, habits, and interests.
They record vacations, travels, and other moves. They also tell much about how expensively you dress or how extravagantly you eat. The total spent in each category will pinpoint the things that make the greatest demands on your income—either due to need or choice.
This checkbook checkup might also gauge our spiritual temperature. Contributions given to the work of the Lord compared to expenditures for unnecessary things offer some clues. When we give nothing to church or to people in need but spend large sums on personal gratification, it's time to examine our values.
A healthy checkbook checkup will show that we've been "rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1Timothy 6:18). —R W De Haan (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
1 Timothy 6:18 Willing To Share
Be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. —1Timothy 6:18
Followers of Jesus are to be "rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1Timothy 6:18). This was demonstrated in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. Christians quickly poured in money, materials, and manpower to bring relief to the suffering. That help has continued.
Believers show this generosity in their local communities as well. When a family lost their home and all their belongings in a fire, a flood of assistance-money, food, clothing, a temporary place to live-came from fellow believers all over the area to get them through the crisis.
When a husband walked out on his wife and three children after depleting the family's savings account and running up huge bills, the people of her church stepped in with the spiritual, emotional, and financial support she needed. And some of the women of the church faithfully encircled her with prayer and encouragement.
These believers are following the plan of God for the Christian life. There are needs all around you that you can have a vital part in meeting.
Are you "rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share"? —David C. Egner (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
Love is giving for the world's needs,
Love is sharing as the Spirit leads,
Love is caring when the world cries,
Love is compassion with Christlike eyes. -Brandt
If you really care, you'll want to share.
1 Timothy 6:18 Overcoming Greed
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. —1Timothy 6:18
Greed — it has toppled highly paid executives, brought down giant corporations, and cost thousands of workers their jobs and retirement funds. One columnist has written that unrestrained corporate greed is a greater threat than terrorism.
Greed whispers in our ear that we would be happier if we had more money, more things, and more power. It creates discontent and a growing desire to do whatever it takes to gain position and possessions. But the Bible commands us to trust in God, not in “uncertain riches”(1Timothy 6:17).
Paul told Timothy that the way to overcome greed is to flee from it and to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness”(1Timothy 6:11). And those “who are rich in this present age,” who have more than is needed, should “be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share”(1Ti 6:17, 18).
Contentment and generosity are the opposite of greed (vv.6-8). As we learn to thank God for what we have and freely share it with others, we stop trying to fill the spiritual vacuum in our heart with things. And when we love Jesus more than money and possessions, we find that He is the greatest treasure of our lives. We discover that knowing Him is the source of genuine satisfaction.—David C. McCasland (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
God’s riches fill up our supply,
Whatever we may need,
So we can then be generous
And not controlled by greed. —Sper
The best remedy for greed is generosity.
1 Timothy 6:18 People God Can Use
Be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. —1 Timothy 6:18
Evangelist Franklin Graham wrote, "If we want to become the type of people that God can use anytime, anywhere, anyplace, we must offer ourselves, our homes, our kitchens, and our living rooms as outposts for the kingdom of God." People who practice these words are fulfilling Paul's challenge to "be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" (1Timothy 6:18).
Years ago, our family sensed that the Lord was placing this same challenge before us. Believing that He desired greater access to our lives, our possessions, and our time, we prayerfully said yes to Him.
Soon we encountered a desperate drug addict and opened our home to him. Several families joined us in helping others who needed to come to Christ and come off drugs. Eventually we established a Christian rehabilitation center—a ministry that continues today. To equip us for this ministry, God used our own painful experiences. Our own troubles helped us identify with others, and enabled us to guide them to depend on Jesus for salvation and every daily need.
God also wants to use you, your possessions, and even your pain, to equip you for a life that's rich in giving and sharing. Have you said yes to Him? —Joanie Yoder (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)
Give me a heart sympathetic and tender,
Jesus, like Thine, Jesus, like Thine,
Touched by the needs that are surging around me,
And filled with compassion divine. —Anon.
Compassion is needed to heal the hurts of others.
1 Timothy 6:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: apothesaurizontas (PAPMPA) heautois themelion kalon eis to mellon, (PAPNSA) hina epilabontai (3SAMS) tes ontos zoes.
Amplified: In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
ESV: 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.
KJV: Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Moffatt: amassing right good treasure for themselves in the world to come, in order to secure the life which is life indeed.
NET: In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.
NLT: By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Their security should be invested in the life to come so that they may be sure of holding a share in the life which is permanent. (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.
Weymouth: storing up for themselves that which shall be a solid foundation for the future, that they may lay hold of the Life which is life indeed.
Wuest: laying away for themselves a good foundation with a view to the future, in order that they may lay hold of that which is truly life. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: treasuring up to themselves a right foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life age-during.
STORING UP FOR THEMSELVES THE TREASURE OF A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE, SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE HOLD OF THAT WHICH IS LIFE INDEED: ()
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"— (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: O Timothee, ten paratheken phulaxon (2SAAM), ektrepomenos (PMPMSN) tas 4 bebelous kenophonias kai antitheseis tes pseudonumou gnoseos,
Amplified: O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
ESV: O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
KJV: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
Moffatt: O Timotheus, keep the securities of the faith intact: avoid the profane jargon and contradictions of what is falsely called 'Knowledge."
NET: O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called “knowledge.”
NLT: Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: O Timothy, guard most carefully your divine commission. Avoid the Godless mixture of contradictory notions which is falsely known as "knowledge" (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: Oh, Timothy, don’t fail to do these things that God entrusted to you. Keep out of foolish arguments with those who boast of their "knowledge" and thus prove their lack of it.
Weymouth: O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you, shunning irreligious and frivolous talk, and controversy with what is falsely called 'knowledge';
Wuest: O, Timothy, that which was committed to you, guard, turning away from unhallowed and empty mouthings and oppositions of the falsely named knowledge, (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: O Timotheus, the thing entrusted guard thou, avoiding the profane vain-words and opposition of the falsely-named knowledge
O TIMOTHY, GUARD WHAT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO YOU, AVOIDING WORLDLY AND EMPTY CHATTER AND THE OPPOSING ARGUMENTS OF WHAT IS FALSELY CALLED "KNOWLEDGE": ()
Fight the good fight with all thy might!
Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
(William Boyd, 1864)
1 Timothy 6:21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: en tines epaggellomenoi (PMPMPN) peri ten pistin estochesan. (3PAAI) e charis meth' humon.
Amplified: [For] by making such profession some have erred (missed the mark) as regards the faith. Grace (divine favor and blessing) be with you all! Amen (so be it). (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
ESV: for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
KJV: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Moffatt: Certain individuals have failed in the faith by professing that. Grace be with you. [Amen.]
NET: By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all.
NLT: Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all. (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: some have followed it and lost their faith. Grace be with you. (Phillips: Touchstone)
TLB: Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God. May God’s mercy be upon you. Sincerely, Paul
Weymouth: of which some have spoken boastfully in connexion with the true faith, and have erred. Grace be with you all.
Wuest: which certain ones announcing, missed the mark concerning the Faith. The grace be with all of you. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: which certain professing--concerning the faith did swerve; the grace is with you. Amen.
WHICH SOME HAVE PROFESSED AND THUS GONE ASTRAY FROM THE FAITH. GRACE BE WITH YOU : ()
1 Timothy 6:21 "SHIPWRECK"
Some have strayed concerning the faith. - 1Timothy 6:21
In the early part of this century, an American ship was wrecked off the Scilly Isles near the coast of England. The sea had been calm and the weather clear, but the vessel was caught in a treacherous current that slowly lured it off its course. Before the captain and the crew realized what had happened, the ship had crashed into the rocks.
In life too, powerful currents of compromise can catch the soul and carry it to shipwreck. Spiritual drifting is usually a slow and imperceptible process. We know it has occurred when we have lost the strong resistance to evil and the passionate desire for truth that we once knew.
The apostle Paul wanted to make sure this wouldn't happen to those to whom Timothy ministered. He encouraged him to be faithful in telling others what they needed to know so they wouldn't stray from their devotion to Christ and cause their faith to be shipwrecked.
In our day, for every professing believer who is lost to the Christian cause by a savage assault of evil, a hundred more slowly drift away from God's truth, regular worship, and a life of faith.
We must give careful attention to what we know about Christ so that we don't get caught in a drift. - HWR
Lord, help us from Your blessed Word
All error to discern,
And by Your Spirit's truth and light
From satan's snares to turn.
- Henry G. Bosch
The compass of God's Word will keep you from spiritual shipwreck. (Copyright. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread)