THE ART OF INVESTING

Inherent Possibilities of Wealth

“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,” 1 Timothy 6:18 (NASB)

Tom Hanks in the 1994 movie of Forrest Gump says “Stupid is what stupid does.” A popular saying that exemplifies that wrong thinking results in wrong actions. The Apostle Paul is confronting a common theme in humanity, wealth. He is encouraging young Timothy on what to teach about wealth. He showed in the previous verse the dangers of wealth and now shows him the inherent possibilities. He gives three phrases that require a closer look. First, he says to “do good”. It has always amazed me how a person who has been arrested for a horrible crime can be reported by friends and family as a “good” person. If we adapt the saying of Forrest Gump, it might read “Good is what good does”. James tells us in 1:22 to “…prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

Paul continues saying “be rich in good works”. In the previous chapter, he gives the qualification of a widow who is to be put on a list most likely for benevolence. He writes in 5:10, “having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.” In so doing, he helps define what he means by “good works”. The meaning is further exemplified in telling them “to be generous and ready to share”. In Matthew 6:20-21, Jesus says “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus reminds us to place of trust in God not in our possessions.

The question begs to be asked, “So what?” If you are wealthy, and if you live in this country, even the poorest of us are richer than 85%  of the world’s population, be generous and share with those in need. Because of your wealth, you have possibilities to help like no other.  Someone once wrote “If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility”. Take a moment today and look at the possibilities you have and “Do Good”.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me to see the different possibilities in my life. Give me the courage to step out, as I trust You, to be generous and share with others in their need. As You have given me so much more than I need, help me to share with others. In Jesus Name, Amen.