True Life, Abundant Life
“As for the rich in the 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. They are to do good. To be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. Thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future so they may take hold of that which is truly life.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Recently, I was speaking to a friend—a younger man whose business was doing really well. He had worked so hard to get his business to this place of profit and growth, and he shared with me how he was wrestling with the simple question: “What do I do with all this money?”
He confessed that there were times when he thought, “I should just buy a really expensive car or take my family on fancy vacations.” Showing his maturity, he said, “But I know these things won’t bring me any lasting joy. I want to invest in missions.”
There are promises associated with giving generously for the kingdom. The first promise, of course, is the security that we have knowing that we are storing our treasure in heaven. The second is the promise of experiencing true life.
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul gives us investment advice that has zero risk and guaranteed returns.
What are we investing in? The kingdom of God.
Who are we ultimately trusting to manage our investment? God Himself. I’m not sure what better guarantee we have than God—His character and His performance record.
When we give for the kingdom, we are “taking hold of that which is truly life.” In other words, living for and investing in the kingdom of God is living as God intends for us.
What would be the opposite? Living for the world. What Paul is saying is that living for the world is inauthentic life. It’s not what we’ve been created for. He doesn’t want us to live for things that are temporary and fleeting, full of empty promises. He wants us to experience true life, eternal life, which begins not after we pass from this world, but when we meet Jesus and begin living for Him. Why would we rob ourselves of this joy that comes from living and giving towards the kingdom of God? Why would we rob ourselves of true life, eternal life, abundant life?
Living and giving intentionally for the kingdom is what it means to truly live, to live the abundant life, to carry out God’s purpose for us.
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SEE MOREPray for our single missionaries serving internationally in the midst of their unique struggles.
Pray for missionaries to remain faithful in the mundane and not get caught up in striving to perform for the praise of others.
Pray for missionaries who are doing valuable work yet have trouble raising support because their work or field is deemed less exciting or less important than other mission work by some in the church.
Pray for missionaries raising support and for potential donors to grasp the eternal importance of supporting missions.
Pray for missionaries who are experiencing homesickness on the field.
Please pray for God’s protection over new missionaries and our MTW family as we engage in God’s kingdom work.
Pray for current missionaries, future missionaries, sending churches, and donors to be willing to ask the question, "How could God use me?"
Pray for missionaries on the field who struggle with loneliness.
Give thanks for and pray for the Krakow crisis team, the distribution of aid, and the shelter ministry as the team cares for displaced Ukrainians.
Pray for families in the Lviv, Ukraine, and Krakow, Poland shelters and for those caring for the displaced.
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