Building Project

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. (1Tim 6:17-19)

Surveys consistently show that almost no matter how much money one earns or has, most respondents feel that the “wealthy” (whoever they are) have more. Whether this is self-deception or just modesty is not clear. What is clear is that if you are an adult reading this, 1Timothy 6:17-19 applies to you and you need to weigh its claims very seriously.

Paul makes a distinction here between “this present world” and “the coming age” because there are activities which are unique to each of them. But it is a serious mistake to think of heaven, hell, judgment and eternity only in future terms. Eternity has already begun for every person on the planet. Each one is already busily engaged in shaping their experience with it in some way. Romans 2 indicates that God’s wrath is already being poured out on those who hate Him. In the same way, His blessings already adorn the lives of those who love Him. So what we commonly call “eternity” is already with us. Upon physical death our perspectives are going to change greatly but our state (either very good or very bad) will be a continuation of the life we had in “this present age.”

Consider the implication of that fact in light of the choices and decisions you made and the activities you participated in today. The fact is, as C.S. Lewis said, most Christians live their lives as functional agnostics. We “put our hope in riches” because we’re not really sure that God will provide to the level we would like, so we’d better cover our bases just in case. This is the world’s “hope” which is uncertain, tenuous and fleeting. We have a nodding acquaintance with eternal concerns while investing our time, talent and energy in things “uncertain” and “destined for burning.” We fight and scrape for position, money and power as if this life were all there is. The Wisdom Literature, the Gospels and the Epistles are full of warnings of the dangers of this path.

Believers place their hope in God, who never fails and whose promises and rewards are eternal and guaranteed. Paul tells Timothy that God Himself “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Paul doesn’t mean that God personally gives us stuff (though He may) but that a believer’s eternal inheritance and patrimony is God Himself and that we will enjoy Him forever. A believer’s hope is first, last, and always in the Lord.