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a word to the “masters”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (JDV)

1 Timothy 6:17 Direct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:18 They are to do good, to be rich in good achievements,¹ to be generous and willing to share,

1 Timothy 6:19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.

a word to the “masters”

Paul had been instructing Timothy what to teach those on the lower end of the totem pole. The slaves should respect and care for their masters — particularly believing masters as brothers in Christ.

By switching to “those who are rich” he is turning to the masters — the ones higher on the socio-economic ladder. He warns them that they will be tempted to be arrogant and to set their hope on the uncertainty of their own wealth. Instead, they should use their wealth to help others. In so doing, they are storing up treasure for themselves.

Where have we heard that before? Oh, yes. Jesus said…

Matthew 6:19 “Do not waste your time setting aside valuables for yourselves here on the land, where moth and rust destroy them, and where thieves break in and steal them,

Matthew 6:20 but invest your valuables in the coming kingdom from the sky, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

The rich know the importance in investing in the future. What the rich masters in Ephesus needed to learn is that their investment needed to be in others, not themselves. Now, where were these needy others? Some of them were the servants in their own households.

LORD, teach us to store up treasures for ourselves by investing in the needy all around us.

1ἀγαθοποιέω