Tag: Things

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1 Timothy 6:17b – Enjoyment

Picture of a child's smile. (Pixabay)

…but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

Summary: In this passage, Paul points us to those things that are both the sweetest things in life and also the most often taken for granted.   

Let’s review. The entire passage reads as follows: 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Those who are “rich” in this world can buy things with their money that others cannot. They can also use their money to help others in their time of need. Money has many uses, but, as Paul points out, it is deceptive. It can also lead to arrogance and putting our trust in material things instead of God. 

Instead, all of us, rich or poor, should put our hope in God. 

Why? 

Because God provides us with “everything for our enjoyment.” 

What does Paul mean? 

What does God provide for us that is “for our enjoyment”?

This is one of those verses where it is helpful to stop for a moment and think about what it is we enjoy. 

We can “enjoy” having things that others don’t have, but that kind of enjoyment comes at the expense of those who do not have. When we “enjoy” being envied by others because we have something they don’t have, that is not a “joy” that God approves of. (See Micah 6:11-13)

Instead, think of the things God provides us without asking. 

First and foremost, is life itself. Without life, we would not even exist to enjoy God’s creation. If this sounds like a trivial point, remember that when God created Adam and Eve, they rejected him as God and chose to be “like God” himself (Genesis 3:5). The result was a disaster for humanity (Romans 1:32). 

We don’t deserve being allowed to live. On top of that, God has provided redemption and atonement through his Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-25). Because of him, we live! 

Beyond that, what does God provide? 

There are many things, but the sweetest and most desirable is also the one thing money can’t buy— a relationship with our Creator (John 1:12-13). If we have that, then everything else is enjoyable, too. 

Application: Thank God!  

Food for Thought: How would you describe the kind of “enjoyment” Paul is talking about? 

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1 Timothy 6:7 – A Knock on the Noggin’

Cartoon of a man slapping his forehead and saying, "Doh!" (Grok)

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

Summary: Once again, Paul manages to slap us upside the head with an obvious fact that puts the whole world back into perspective.   

Remember the saying, “You can’t take it with you”? Well, now you know where it came from. Paul said it here first!

If we step back a pace or two and look at the context, we can better see what Paul is saying. The verse just before this one says, “…godliness with contentment is great gain.” The verse after says, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Godliness is not about the things of this world. Godliness is about being like Jesus. 

Before Jesus was born a man, he lived in heaven. Do you think he packed a bag for his trip to earth? 

No? 

When he showed up, he was tiny, naked, and probably crying — just like every other person who has ever been born. 

When he died, Jesus went the same way. The only thing he took with him was his integrity; he remained faithful to his Father from the day he was born until the day he died. 

Is that enough? 

Well … yes, it is. You see, Jesus came back from the dead to show us why we don’t need to worry about taking things with us. His Father, God, provides everything he needs. He didn’t leave and ascend back up to heaven wishing he could take one more fish casserole with him. He rose smiling because he knew he was going home, and he knew that he would be taking you and me with him. 

Perhaps the reason Paul took the time to state the obvious was that we need to be reminded of what is important. It is not money. It is not possessions. It is not cars, or clothes, or even your health care plan or your 401K. What is important is our relationship with Jesus. 

Yes, God knows that in this life we need things. Jesus said, “For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them” (Luke 12:30). 

Ouch. 

That hits kind of hard, doesn’t it? 

The pagan world runs after such things. Hmmm… That doesn’t sound very Christian. Maybe Paul has a point. 

Application: Keep our eyes on Jesus!  

Food for Thought: Why does the ‘pagan world’ have such a strong influence on us? 

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Colossians 3:1b – Things Above

… set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Summary: Bridging the language barrier between our world and Paul’s is not always easy or straightforward. Sometimes, we have to think hard about what he is saying. 

It is interesting how my mind plays tricks on me. 

You can play tricks on your mind, too. The funny thing is that the mind is pretty good at tricks. Take, for example, the ltetres in teshe wdors. Did you nitoce that they are all mxied up? Even though the letters are mixed up, most of you reading this will still be able to sort out what the words are.

The same thing happens with word order in a sentence. Our sees mind the words and somehow straightens out them. 

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