Verse 18! We are getting close to the end of 1 Timothy. Hold on, we are almost there!

Here is the text I'm reading:

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1 Timothy 6:18, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. “

Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul transitions from helping the wealthy avoid spiritual pitfalls to provide them four inter-related commands to effectively become a blessing with what God has blessed them with.

2. This first command is to do good – not only in terms of charity (providing food, lodging, employment, etc.), investing for the future, and influencing leaders – but also to live in such a way to build up the body of Christ (righteous conduct, prayer, humble service, etc.).

3. The second command is to be rich in good deeds, meaning they should have fruitful lives with an abundance of good deeds: this make sense since the rich normally have plentiful resources, an understanding of how to execute multiple simultaneous tasks excellently, and the flexibility to dedicate the necessary time to seeing things through.

4. The third command is to be generous; not just financially or with what they own, but with their time, knowledge and creativity. This command is the antidote to hoarding and aloofness to human suffering.

5. The fourth command is to be willing to share: this focuses on the heart and one’s openness to share in the abundance of God’s blessings one’s life. This includes wealth, items/property, knowledge and wisdom.

6. Strangely enough, many of the world’s poorest readily do each of these commands without prompting. Paul’s commands to the rich really puts into focus the ills of “the love of money”.

Application.
Brothers, like the previous verse, God blesses us with much more than money. While these commands are addressed to the wealthy, we can extrapolate them to our skills, talents, and experiences (testimony). Do we hoard them or do we leverage them for the Kingdom?

As noted, many of the world’s poorest exemplify these tenets in their conduct. Let’s take some time today to examine how we are doing with whatever God has blessed us with. Are we blessed to be a blessing, or do we need to start allowing His blessing to flow through us?

May this verse motivate us to demonstrate our faith in what we do (James 2:18)!