1 Timothy 6 Devotional

Treasure That Cannot Be Lost

“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)

1 Timothy 6 exposes a quiet temptation: treating godliness as a way to get ahead (6:5). Paul answers that real profit is a godly life joined to a contented heart, because we brought nothing into the world and can take nothing out of it (6:6-7). Those who are eager to be rich fall into traps and harmful desires, and the love of money has led some to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with grief (6:9-10).

The cure is to hope in someone better. Paul points Timothy to Christ Jesus, who made the good confession before Pontius Pilate, and to the blessed and only Sovereign, who alone cannot die and lives in light no one can approach (6:13-16). Those who are rich are told not to set their hope on uncertain wealth but on God, who generously supplies all things for our enjoyment, and to be generous and ready to share (6:17-18). Contentment grows when God, not money, is the treasure.

To think about: Where are you looking to money or possessions for security, and what would it look like to set that hope on God today?