¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ 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.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” ²¹ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.

1) Why is there a comparison between wealth and God?
As in Mark 10:17-31 and numerous other places in both Old and New Testaments, Paul is noting the human tendency to become dependent on something that cannot be trusted to sustain us, money. Wealth can be wiped away much easier than we’d like to think, and whether we have plenty or are pinching pennies, it’s much easier to set our focus on those numbers in our bank account than it is to gaze into the glories of God.

2) If someone is generous and philanthropic in their giving, will this earn them eternal life?
This passage takes careful reading, so be sure to slow down and pay attention to the sentence structure as well as the greater context of the chapter. Paul’s entire letter is written to Timothy as he pastors on the island of Crete. His instructions are for Timothy and the believers in his church, so it is a given that those who “are rich in this present age” were already Christ-followers. These verses are a warning for Timothy to pass on to the materially wealthy of Timothy’s church, not in how they could earn favor with God or salvation, but in how they could live a fuller, more abundant life both now and in the eternal life to come. See also Matthew 6:19-20 for more teaching on laying up treasure in Heaven for the believer.

3) What is the “irreverent babble” Paul is referring to?
In Paul’s day, religious ideas like Mysticism (experiencing God/knowing truth is discovered inside yourself) and Gnosticism (salvation could only be gained through a secret knowledge) were springing up everywhere and false teaching was constantly threatening to infiltrate truth. Paul refers to all of these teachings as “irreverent babble” here and uses similar language in his other letters.

4) What does it mean to “swerve from the faith”?
The idea of “swerving” here is tightly associated with distraction. Paul references this same idea in chapter 1, where he notes that small, seemingly important things, end up undermining a life that could have otherwise done much for the kingdom. This “swerving from the faith” isn’t a warning that you might “lose” your salvation, but rather that there is danger in becoming ineffective in your faith as a believer. Again, Paul’s letters to Timothy are overflowing with sage warnings. Often, Satan ambushes us not with temptation to fall into “big” sins, but by simple distraction, slowly leading us away from intimacy with God and effectiveness in His kingdom. 2 Timothy 2:16-17

1) Why is there a comparison between wealth and God?
Humanly, we see finances as being real and “needed” for daily life, and the Lord as “supplemental”, if even that. Don’t believe me? Take a look at your day. How often have you considered buying something today or had a bill go through electronically or ran to Target for one more thing? Compare it to how often you cried out to Jesus, opened your Bible, repeated a verse to memorize it, or prayed for God to show you more of His glory? In the end, “riches” aren’t just limited to our finances, but anything we set our eyes on that deceives us into thinking that it holds “real life”. There’s only ONE that holds out deep, true, abundant living and it’s the Lord Jesus Christ. Where is your heart focus? Are you ready to truly flourish? Sink your feet into the rich grace of God and find the life you’ve been aching to discover!

2) If someone is generous and philanthropic in their giving, will this earn them eternal life?
Before you mentally “check out” and think these verses don’t apply to you because you aren’t “wealthy”, consider Randy Alcorn’s statement, “if you have any money saved, a hobby that requires some equipment or supplies, a variety of clothes in your closet, two cars (in any condition), and live in your own home, you are in the top 5% of the world’s wealthy.” You, my friend, are exactly who this verse applies to. For more mind-blowing statistics, check here. While being generous with time, giftings, and finances will not earn us eternal life, it will most definitely “lay a good foundation for the future (i.e. eternity). How all of that works out in the life to come or what it looks like, we can only theorize, but we do know for sure that what we do now, today, has an eternal affect!

3) What is the “irreverent babble” Paul is referring to?
Truth is under fire just as much today, if not more so, than it was in Timothy’s, so this letter we are reading through in the 21^st century is incredibly relevant. We would be wise to heed its warnings! As you study God’s Word, listen to sermons, attend church programs, read blogs, and shape your beliefs about God and eternity, are you continually testing the basis of those beliefs? Deception slips in quietly, in countless forms. The Enemy is always prowling, ready to deceive us, leading us away from the Beloved Savior. Be on guard!

4) What does it mean to “swerve from the faith”?
Distractions are small and seemingly insignificant at the time, but lead to an entire life being thrown off course if they aren’t caught. A simple example is me sitting down with the intention of spending quiet time with God. Bible open, I think of a question, write it down, and the dog needs out, then I realize I forgot to respond to that email, then one of my kids is needing a band-aid, then I’m thinking about dinner and whether or not I need to go to the store…Oh, what was I reading? Distraction leaves me with a busy day, full of opportunities to either lean into Jesus or trust my own abilities, but now I haven’t aligned my heart with the Father’s before I even begin. That shirt is sure cute with those swirls and floral print. “Do what makes you happy” its script entices me, but is it true? If I follow that mantra, will I find “real life” that Paul is talking about here in Timothy? Simple distraction. Join me by examining your life and teaching, “Keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching. Persist in this!” (1 Timothy 4:16a)

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

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