1 Timothy 6:18 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.
Timothy is here told to speak to those who are rich in this present world or age and to warn them against two sins that such people are particularly prone to - arrogance and putting their hope in their wealth. Such an attitude is both wrong and foolish. Wealth is so uncertain. Hence his pointed rich in this present world. Rather, such people must be urged to put their hope in God. He is the very opposite of uncertain wealth. He richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. By putting things this way Paul avoids unhelpful negativity and places all the emphasis on God's rich provision and our enjoyment of him. Pastors in the west are constantly dealing with those who are rich. It is our duty to warn against the arrogance that often comes with riches and against trusting in this world's riches. Positively we must urge all to put their hope in God, pointing out that he is the one who richly provides us with everything and that he does that for our enjoyment.
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