1 Timothy 6:6-19 (NRSV)
Read 1 Timothy 6:6-19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; Verse 7for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; Verse 8but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Verse 9But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Verse 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. Verse 11But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Verse 12Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Verse 13In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you Verse 14to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 15which he will bring about at the right time-he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Verse 16It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. Verse 17As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Verse 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, Verse 19thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
Devotion
The American Dream is working against us. Our freedom to pursue prosperity, success and upward mobility for our families and children has a tendency to impede our ability to find contentment in what God provides for us. We seek more—more money, more power, more benefits, more... Along with the many opportunities to pursue personal advancement we often miss the opportunity to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness—the true prizes available to us.
The letter to Timothy reminds us of this struggle, encouraging us to turn from pursuing things that will never truly satisfy our hungry hearts. Instead we are called to trust that God will richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment (17). Let us be rich in our faith and our generosity and leave the need for earthly riches behind. Though the American Dream is appealing, the heavenly promise is so much more so.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you provide all that we need from day to day. Help us to pursue the things that are from you rather than getting caught up in the futile chase after earthly riches. Amen.