A Charge To The Rich

Introduction

Turn to 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

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A charge to the rich - 1 Timothy 6:17.

What did Paul mean when he instructed Timothy to give a charge to the rich? We don’t typically use the word “charge” in this context.

In our vernacular, when we think of a charge we probably picture the battlefields of the Civil War where one side would fix their bayonets to their rifles and charge the enemy.

Now if you’re from the younger generation, you typically use the word “charge” in reference to your phone and a low battery, right? The younger ones in here think of plugging in their phone and charging their battery. Obviously, Paul doesn’t mean either of these things, so what does Paul mean exactly?

The Greek word that Paul used here is translated throughout the New Testament as “charge,” “declare”, or “command.” The word is used especially “of the order of a military commander which is passed along the line by his subordinates.”

Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 343.

Picture in your mind the Roman general at the head of his army giving commands to his messengers, who then proceed down the line to deliver the instructions to his centurions. What is the significance of this? What was Paul saying?

He was saying, “Timothy, pass this command down the line. Pass this information on. Don’t let them despise your youth, Timothy. Don’t let the rich ignore you. Make it clear to them that this command is coming from a superior officer, from the apostle, Paul, and ultimately from the Lord Jesus Christ. Charge them, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God!”

Whether you consider yourself rich in possessions or not, what matters this evening is not your financial status, but your heart attitude toward those riches.

Concerning this charge to the rich, let’s consider...

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The mind to avoid

“Highminded” - could also be translated as “proud” or “haughty”. The word indicates that you don’t have to be rich to have this mindset. You can aspire to be rich and exhibit this same kind of attitude.

Throughout Scripture, we find instructions about our thinking. Paul’s challenge to the rich was that they avoid being proudly sufficient in themselves but rather to find their satisfaction in Christ.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

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The trust to maintain

That phrase stands out to me: “Uncertain riches”

Isn’t that what they are? Yes! Are riches uncertain? Sure they are.

Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Don’t trust in uncertain riches. Don’t trust in your 401k. Don’t put all of your faith in your employment. Put your trust in God! Find your security in Him! He is the LIVING God!

Notice, He is a good God. He gives us richly all things to enjoy. This must be understood in the context of the rest of Scripture and should not be understood to mean that we have a blanket permit from God to go and live as we please. But God does allow us to enjoy what we work for. It’s not wrong to enjoy the fruit of our labor.

Application: But always remember: we must live as though our riches are temporary - because they are. We must live with our faith in God, not in ourselves or are riches!

You may not think you are rich, but are you ever high minded? Do you ever trust in uncertain riches? This charge to the rich was not so much about their riches as it was about their heart!

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?

We’ve seen a charge to the rich, secondly…

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The behavior of the rich - 1 Timothy 6:18.

That they do good

that they be rich in good works,

ready to distribute, willing to communicate (be liberal);

Money is a tool to do good. Sometimes that means helping someone else. Sometimes that means doing good by doing something special for your spouse or a loved one. Sometimes that means doing good by simply providing for your family.

Why does God shower us with blessings and give us richly all things to enjoy? Is it so we can consume it all ourselves? No! It so that we can be a blessing to others.

Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

It’s so that we can share with others. It’s so that we can give to Faith Promise and to support missionaries as they send the Gospel around the world.

Application: Don’t let your life be defined by your possessions, let it be defined by good works! Don’t let your life be defined by money or the pursuit of money, let it be defined by good works! But understand, it is your heart attitude, not your bank account, that determines what you are defined by.

There are rich people whose lives are defined by good works, and there are poor people whose lives are defined by their desire to be rich. What matters is the attitude of the heart towards those riches, however great or small they may be.

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The pursuit of the rich - 1Timothy 6:19.

Here’s an amazing thing about our money and our possessions: when we invest these temporal things the right way, God allows us to reap eternal dividends.

How can we invest our resources the right way? Verse 18 tells us:

1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

If you do that, then verse 19 applies:

1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

By using your wealth as a tool in God’s hands, you are investing in the eternal.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Application: let’s pursue eternal rewards! Let’s be sure our lives are defined by a love for people and doing good to others. Let’s commit to trusting in the living God!