1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; KJV
Now the Apostle Paul turns to give Brother Timothy a message addressed to those in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that are rich during their sojourn or pilgrimage on the earth (before they reach their real home in heaven) with these words first, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" (1 Timothy 6:17) (KJV). Again we see another documentation that our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world to save sinners of every ethnicity and every socio-economic background because all have sinned and are sinners falling short of the Glory of God. The Apostle Paul wants to make sure that Timothy instruct the rich Christians that it is not our Lord Jesus' will for them to build their own earthly kingdoms, but to be a part of His building His kingdom of priest (1 Peter 2:9) being prepared to rule and rein with Him, so Paul makes his emphasis emphatic by use of the English word 'charge' at the very beginning of this verse which is translated by the Greek word paraggellō meaning as used here to transmit a message by way of giving a commandment. The little English phrase 'them that are rich' is translated by the Greek word plousios meaning wealthy; figuratively abounding with: - rich. The little English phrase 'this world' is translated by two Greek words nun and aion meaning the present time or the now age as opposed to or in contrast to the future.
In other words, the Apostle Paul commands Timothy to command the rich or wealthy Christians in the Church of Jesus Christ and he first wants them commanded 'that they be not highminded' and this English phrase is translated by the Greek word hupsēlophroneō (used only one other time in the New Testament) and it means to be lofty in mind, that is, arrogant: - be highminded. That is, not to think better of themselves than others in the Church who had less than they did, for with our Lord Jesus Christ all members of His Mystical Body are equally loved, important, and useful to Him in building His Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the rich in the Church being not highminded, "One of the evils to which they are particularly exposed. The idea is, that they should not value themselves on account of their wealth, or look down with pride and arrogance on their inferiors. They should not suppose that they are any better people or any nearer heaven, because they are wealthy. Property really makes no distinction in the great things that pertain to character and salvation, It does not necessarily make one wise, or learned, or great, or good. In all these things, the man who has not wealth may be vastly the superior of him who has; and for so slight and unimportant a distinction as gold can confer, no man should be proud. Besides, let such a man reflect that his property is the gift of God; that he is made rich because God has chosen to arrange things so that he should be; that it is not primarily owing to any skill or wisdom which he has; that his property only increases his responsibility, and that it must all soon be left, and he be as poor as the 'beggar that lies at his gate;' and he will see ample reason why he should not be proud."
When Paul writes, 'nor trust in uncertain riches', he simply means that earthly money is temporary and will be gone at some point, so no person belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ should rest their trust upon them over our Lord Jesus who owns all that we have and He has just made us stewards over His things for our use and for His glory. Our Lord Jesus says this concerning earthly riches in this Proverb, "Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when [suddenly] it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens." (Proverbs 23:5) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, to have your trust resting on temporal things is foolish, futility, and folly, but instead they are to be used here for the glory of God to help in building His kingdom and to live on the earth during our sojourn until they have been used up, nothing more nothing less. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about not trusting in uncertain riches, "The uncertainty of riches; things which are never at a stay, are ever changing, and seldom continue long with one proprietor; therefore, as well as on many other accounts, they are not to be trusted in: they cannot give happiness, because they are not fixed and permanent; neither can they meet the wishes of an immortal spirit."
When Paul writes, 'but in the living God', he is simply contrasting where our trust should be placed instead of in uncertain earthly riches. It was our Lord Jesus Himself who told us not to worry about these things; what we shall eat, what we shall drink, or what we shall wear (Matthew 6:25-34), for all things are His and He will provide and supply His sons and daughters what they need to live down here on His earth. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning our trust being only in the living God (Jesus Christ our Lord), "He is able to supply all our needs, and to do for us what riches cannot do; and, he never changes, or leaves those who put their trust in Him. He is able to meet our needs if in the flames, or in a storm at sea, or when a friend dies, or when we lie down on a bed of death, or wherever we may be in the eternal world."
When Paul writes, 'who giveth us richly all things to enjoy', he means that this earth is His (Jesus) and the fullness thereof, so He wants us to take care of and enjoy the things that He alone has made us steward over while we live down here on this His earth. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about God giving us richly all things to enjoy, "Who not only has all good, but dispenses it liberally for the supply of the wants of all His creatures; and He does not give merely what is necessary, but He gives what tends to render life comfortable. The comforts of life come from God, as well as the necessaries. He not only gives us a bare subsistence, but He gives us enjoyments. Were it not for the oppression and rapine of wicked men, every situation and state in life would be comparatively comfortable. God gives liberally; man divides it badly."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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