1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV
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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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.
How much money do you need to have saved to consider yourself financially healthy? Is it 100k, 250k, 500k or 1 million? According to an article by CNBC, a new report by financial services company Personal Capital found that on average, Americans stated they needed $516,433 and 20% indicated they needed over 1 million dollars. That’s a whole lot of money considering that the median household income per year worldwide in 2013 was $9,733 (Gallup).
Now there is nothing inherently wrong with setting goals and accumulating wealth, but God’s word warns us to not set our hopes and dreams on it or to be prideful if we obtain it. Rather, we are to focus in on God, who not only richly provides us with everything to enjoy, but also will one day reward each person who chooses and does good works.
So, if God has blessed us with more than we need, let us consider how we can put those blessings towards good use. For some of us, God maybe prompting us to financially support a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor across the street or even charities or mission organizations that helps those in some of the poorest areas of the world. For others of us, God has blessed us with an abundance of time. Perhaps He is leading us to share our time by encouraging those around us, mentoring or volunteering, or even sharing the greatest gift of all, our faith in Christ. Whether God has blessed us with extra financial resources or an abundance of time, let us consider the Lord’s leading of how we can be generous and ready to share.
Pastor Mike Tong