17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19, ESV
In this passage, Paul is talking directly about the people who are rich here on earth. One thing that we often do when reading passages like this is we think about the richest person we know… not celebrities, but actual people we know. Then we assign this passage to them and think about how this world would be a better place if they would get in line and do what God says with their money. We don’t apply it to ourselves because they’re the rich ones, not us.
But I have to ask, do you see yourself as rich or poor?
No matter how you answered that question, if you are living in America, even as a homeless person, you are rich in the eyes of the world. In your small little world, you may be on the poorer end of things. BUT looking at the things from a larger perspective, in the grand scheme of things on this HUGE planet, you’re the rich one Paul is speaking about.
Where I live in Missouri, the current minimum wage is $10.30 (when I got my first job it was $4.25!!) But there are people living on this planet TODAY who live on $1/day or less!!
WE ARE RICH Y’ALL!! It’s okay to stop and be thankful for living in a country with such amazing opportunities. But let’s not squander them just building earthly riches and empires. Let’s ask God how He’d like us to invest in building a good foundation for the future of our community.