1 Timóteo 6:17-19

The Charge Given To Timothy Is Now To Be Applied To All Who Are Men of Substance, For They Were The Ones Most In Danger Of Forgetting It (1 Timothy 6:17-19 ).

We are reminded here of the rich young ruler. Most people envied him, but Jesus sighed over him. For he went away without hope because of his great possessions (Mark 10:17-22). So are all rich people to beware, for unless they control their riches and use them wisely they will follow the rich young ruler. Rather then they are to use them to lay up treasure above, laying a good foundation so that they too may lay hold on eternal life (compare 1 Timothy 6:12).

Analysis.

· Charge those who are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded (1 Timothy 6:17 a).

· Nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17 b).

· That they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate (1 Timothy 6:18).

· Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come (1 Timothy 6:19 a).

· That they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed (1 Timothy 6:19 b).

Note that in ‘a’ the rich are not to have their minds fixed on their own importance, but in the parallel are to ensure that the lay hold on life that is truly life. In ‘b’ they are not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but in the parallel are to lay up a good foundation for the time to come. Centrally in ‘c’ is the description of how that is to be done.