Rich – Three Minute Bible

July 28, 2026July 27, 2026

1 Timothy 6:9 – The Trap

Cartoon showing Rube Goldberg type "Trap" using money for bait. (Grok)

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Summary: Wanting wealth is not bad in itself, but there is great danger in putting our hope in material things.

The problem with the word “rich” is that it doesn’t mean the same to everyone. For some people it means having some jingle in your pocket after all the bills are paid. For others it means having more money than they will ever be able to spend… ever! If you look the word “rich” up in the dictionary,* all it says is “a large amount of money.” How much is that supposed to be?

So how does a person know when they finally arrive?

I suspect that is the “trap” that Paul is talking about. Since no one can agree on what it means to be rich, the goalposts keep moving.

It is not the only trap, however.

Jesus tells the story of a man who thought he had it made (Luke 12:15-21). Like most people of his day, he was a land owner who depended on his fields for food. One year, he had an “abundant harvest,” resulting in more food than he had room for. In his mind, he was rich beyond measure.

Looking at all the grain he had taken in, he thought, “Now I have it made! I can kick back and relax. I have nothing to worry about.” (My paraphrase.)

The God said, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

That is the sound of ruin and destruction.

The problem wasn’t that the man had acquired wealth. Many people acquire wealth.† The problem was his reaction to having wealth. Instead of realizing that he was a steward of God’s gifts, he assumed that great wealth means great security.

And that is the trap that “plunge(s) people into ruin and destruction.” Don’t let it happen to you!

Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus, the source of true riches.

Food for Thought: What is the difference between someone who is rich and someone who wants to be rich?

*Online dictionary, July 23, 2026.

†See Matthew 25:14-30

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July 27, 2026July 26, 2026

1 Timothy 6:8 – Packing for Heaven

Two old leather suitcases are packed for a trip. (Grok)

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Summary: Contentment is one of those ‘beautiful intangibles’ that make life wonderful if we have it.

Paul was actually a much richer man than he makes out. Timothy, too. When he says, “if we have food and clothing, we will be content,” he is talking about what the world sees and values.

But what about the things that God values?

James writes:

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (James 2:5)

It is hard for us to wrap our heads around the riches James is talking about — the kind that Paul is already rich in.

What does it mean to be “rich” anyway? Why do we care?

The reason we like the idea of being rich is that the world sees material wealth as a kind of security blanket. Money maybe can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of things, and for some people that is how they measure feeling good about themselves.

Another reason people like money is that it can buy security. Financial security is not having to worry about paying the bills or being able to afford the nice things in life. Ironically, the opposite of faith is worry. People who don’t have faith want money because it helps fend off worry.

Peter understands this, too. He writes that we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” in heaven (1 Peter 1:4). Wealth beyond measure! Not material wealth that can be eaten by moths or rats, or stolen by a thief (Matthew 6:20), but wealth that makes you feel like a million bucks.

Which brings us to an important question: “Where is your heart?”

Jesus makes an interesting point when he says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

It would be horrible if you made it all the way to heaven and discovered you had left your heart behind!

Application: Do a heart check – make certain you know where it is.

Food for Thought: How can we protect ourselves from falling victim to the love of ‘things’?

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July 20, 2020August 18, 2020

Meet Pastor Rich

Thank you for stopping by and sharing a few minutes with us. I thought you might enjoy getting to know Pastor Rich if you haven’t already met him. He recently started offering weekly video meditations online. They are short and well worth watching so I have provided links below. (Just click on ”Continue Reading” below.)

December 24, 2019December 25, 2019

Santa’s List – James 1: 10-11

But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

James’ letter is a lot like Santa’s List. Most of us have heard about Santa Clause, and how, like God, he knows if we have been “naughty” or “nice.” The modern legend of Santa goes back to a real-life believer in God, a man whom we know as Saint Nicholas.

Like St. Nick, James is concerned about how people behave toward each other and whether or not having material possessions is clouding their judgment. Why would this be a problem for the early church?