1 Timothy 6:17

‘Charge those who are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy,’

As Timothy has received a solemn charge, so must he give a solemn charge to others. He is to charge the rich Christians, that is, those who have more than a basic standard of living, not to be highminded (a word seemingly invented by Paul and first used in Romans 11:20). That is, they are not to be haughty and above themselves. They are not to see themselves as somehow made superior because of heir wealth. Nor are they to set their hopes on their riches, for their riches are uncertain. A few moths, a bit of rust, and they are gone (Compare Matthew 6:19). They are rather to set their hopes on God Who is the source of all true riches. And the truth is that He is generous, and abundantly pours out His riches on all, for He is the One Who has provided us with all things so that we might enjoy them (compare 1 Timothy 4:4). We should note here that God is not saying that He has given rich people their riches so that they can enjoy them. Rather He is saying that, as the Creator, He has given the world to all of us, and He has given us all that is in it for us to enjoy. The corollary is that we should ensure that ALL enjoy it, not just ourselves. We should be as richly generous as He is.

This is the very opposite of the aim of the ascetic. He is not out to enjoy God’s goodness, or to see others enjoy God’s goodness. He is concerned only with betterment for himself. Therefore he fails to thank God for all His goodness, for he rejects it as not being for him. His interest is in self-gain, even if it is on a ‘spiritual’ level. He is seeking to buy God’s grace for himself.