Who's the richest person in the world? Carlos Slim? Bill Gates? Warren Buffet? It might just be you! The sixth chapter of this letter to a young Christian leader begins with a then-cultural reality, the evil practice of slavery with thoughts on how it should be viewed in the context of the Christian faith. Thank God, for the most part, slavery does not exist in an open government-sanctioned practice. The reality is that many women and children are still sold into slavery by sex-traders and is an issue for us to destroy that practice. Then Paul shifts his teachings to those who would use the Christian faith and Christian service to get rich. The wonderful words of verse six ring so true: "A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God." Think about that truth in your life. If you seek to be devout and righteous before God, true wealth is already yours, because you can be yourself before God without being judged in any way negatively. Paul reminds Timothy that we were all born penniless and that's the same way we leave. Paul counts having bread on the table and shoes on our feet as being enough wealth; to seek more for personal gain may bring self-destruction in no time. An Internet story based on an old Presbyterian sermon and that believed based on an old Ann Landers column of the world's richest men and their fate with both truth and half-truths, does serve to teach that money and power do not necessarily bring happiness nor fulfillment to us. (read http://www.snopes.com/glurge/fortune.asp). Paul continues, "Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after." (v. 10). Paul is not necessarily condemning being rich, but what he is teaching is that when money and possessions take the place of God in our lives we are asking for trouble. It is not a sin to be rich. Rick Warren, himself very rich, teaches that it is a sin to die rich. Paul urges Timothy to flee from a life that pursues only money and wealth. His advice is still valid today; think of the richness of a life live right before God, open to wonder, faith, love, steadiness, and courtesy. (v. 11). Paul's urging is that it is best to work hard and fast for God, claiming the eternal life that is ours, the one which became ours in the presence of those who witnessed it or who live it alongside us now.
As you look in the mirror later today, see there the richest person in the world if you're living a devout and righteous life. May today bring new wonders, new and stronger faith, showers of love upon you and you upon others. May even the issues you may faith bring steadiness to you, and regardless how others may treat you, you be the example of courtesy and love.
PRAYER: Loving God, to You be all honor and glory. May today be the start of the day when I do consider myself the richest person in the world. May the blessings of family, friends, important and meaningful people in my life bless and strengthen me. Give me eyes and ears to enjoy wonder; the hands and feet to take faith and love to those who need it and may be counting on it from me. May even the challenges of today serve to steady my faith before you. And may the peace of being Yours for all eternity give me hope like no other. I pray this in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
