Daily Devotions

1 Timothy 6:17–19

"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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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."

Paul’s words here are strikingly ahead of their time. He reminds us that wealth is uncertain—like the disclaimer at the end of an investment commercial: “the value of your investments may go up as well as down.” Riches may appear secure, but they can vanish in a moment. Our trust must be placed, not in possessions, but in God, the One who provides abundantly all that we need.

For those who do have wealth, Paul issues both a warning and a calling. The warning: do not be arrogant or place hope in riches. The calling: be “rich in good works”—generous, ready to share, and using resources to serve others and glorify God. In this way, wealth becomes not a stumbling block, but a tool for blessing.

Yet Paul takes it deeper. The ultimate goal is not generosity for its own sake, but to “take hold of what is truly life.” True life is not found in accumulation, but in a relationship with God—a life marked by faith, love, and eternal hope.

The 19th-century statesman Charles Francis Adams once wrote in his diary: “Went fishing with my son today—day wasted.” That same day, his son Brook wrote in his own diary: “Went fishing with my father today—the most wonderful day of my life!”

What the father thought was a waste of time, the son saw as an investment of love. The difference between wasting and investing lies in our purpose. Paul urges us to invest in what truly lasts—generosity, good works, and eternal treasures—so that we may grasp real life.

Prayer

Holy God,
You reach out in love through Jesus Christ
so that we may live as faithful servants of You alone.
Unchain us from our restless desire for wealth and power,
and teach us to set our hope on You,
the One who richly provides all things.
Make us generous and ready to share,
that others may be freed from poverty, hunger, and oppression.
And lead us always to take hold of what is truly life,
in Christ our Lord.
Amen.