Those Who Are Rich

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others”
1 Timothy 6:17-18

I think this means you…and I think this means me. Even though this scripture literally speaks about money, I think it can also apply to us sharing the (rich) hope we have as Christ followers. We may be the only Jesus some people will ever see. Jesus lives in us, and has given us the authority to make a difference in someone’s life.

I used to be one of those someone’s… Each of us has our own life-altering issue, or adversity that happens at some point in our lives. I believe this is when God calls us into a relationship with Him. This is when we can choose to accept God’s grace, and follow Him –or- reject His grace, and go our own way.

When my life-altering adversity (my muscle disease) revealed itself ~ it knocked this girl for a loop! It felt like I was in the fight of my life, and it seemed as though I was losing the war. Hopeless, depressed, scared, discouraged, overwhelmed, bitter…This was the way I was feeling. I needed help. I needed direction. I was desperate.

I was channel surfing one night, and in between channels, I heard someone on TV say, “There is a better way. You don’t have to live like this anymore.” That, my friends, got my attention…it was exactly what I needed to hear. They were words of life to this girl who felt like she was dead. That’s how my journey towards God started. Yeah, I still had a lot of “God” questions, but I got the answers I was looking for ~ all because there were people who cared enough to clear up things I didn’t understand.

The point I’m trying to make is in verse 18, “They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” Sometimes we have to step out of our “comfort zones,” and tell people about Jesus. Tell them the about the saving grace He offers.
Always be kind, because everyone we meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Remember that we can’t save the world… only they can decide which way to go, but we can certainly lavish God’s love on them. .