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. 1 Timothy 6:17
Andy Stanley encourages Christians to say, "I will not put my trust in riches, but in God who richly provides" as they consider their finances. His teaching, which comes straight from 1 Timothy 6:17, is a reminder to us that rather than trusting our finances or the nice things we may purchase with our finances, we should trust God to be our Provider. All throughout the Bible, God's people are reminded to trust Him to provide. Sometimes they get it right, but many times they get it wrong, trusting their material possessions rather than God. Just like God wanted His people in Scripture to trust Him to provide for them, He wants believers today to learn to trust that He will provide for them.
In the book of First Timothy, Paul instructs Timothy on how to teach people about finances. Toward the end of this book, he tells Timothy to teach those who are rich not to put their trust in money. Instead, he tells him to teach the rich to put their trust in God, "who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17). God is reliable, but money is not. Paul's teaching makes sense, doesn't it? After all, if money is unreliable, why would anyone put their trust in it? If God richly provides everything that we need, why wouldn't everyone trust in Him?
Where are you placing your trust? Are you placing it in your money and the things you can purchase? My friend, there is a better way! Money is unreliable. We cannot trust it. We can, however, trust God. He is the One who richly provides. He's taken care of you in the past. He will do it again, regardless of your financial situation. Will you trust Him?
Let's be known as people who put their trust fully in God. In your journal or a notebook, reflect on and answer this question: What would it look like if I truly trusted God with my finances? As you answer this question, think about how your life might change if you trusted God as your provider. Would you be more generous? Would you worry less? Would your spending become more intentional? My friend, God always has and always will richly always provide for you. Trust Him today to be your Provider.
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. For,
At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
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. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
