JUNE 23, 2024
READ: 1 Timothy 6 (Focus vs. 6-10 & 17-19)
MEMORY VERSE
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18
BACKGROUND
After seven decades of hard work as a washerwoman—scrubbing, drying, and pressing clothes by hand—Oseola McCarty was finally ready to retire at the age of eighty-six.
She had scrupulously saved her meager earnings all those years, and to the amazement of her community, Oseola donated $150,000 to the nearby university to create a scholarship fund for needy students.
Inspired by her selfless gift, hundreds of people donated enough to triple her endowment.
Oseola understood the true value of her wealth was not in using it for her own gain, but to bless others. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to command those who are rich in this present world “to be rich in good deeds” (1 Timothy 6:18).
Each of us has been given wealth to steward, whether it’s in the form of financial means or other resources. Instead of trusting in our resources, Paul cautions us to put our hope only in God (v. 17) and to lay up treasure in heaven by being “generous and willing to share” (v. 18).
In God’s economy, withholding and not being generous only leads to emptiness. Giving to others out of love is the way to fulfillment. To have both godliness and contentment with what we have, instead of striving for more, is great gain (v. 6).
What would it look like for us to be generous with our resources, as Oseola was? Let us strive to be rich in good deeds today as God leads us.
By: Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 6:6-19 calls to mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
The concept of “laying up treasures” is common to both passages. Treasures on earth speak of investments of things that only have earthly value and usefulness, such as gifts or money.
Treasures in heaven refer to earthly investments that have eternal value. Generous giving on earth stores up treasure in heaven. Thus, the need for cultivating contentment.
Doing so makes us less susceptible to greed and better positioned for doing good deeds and thereby truly enriching ourselves in the process.
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What opportunity do you have to be generous today? How can sharing what you have lead to greater contentment?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Each of us has been given wealth to steward, whether it’s in the form of financial means or other resources… In God’s economy, withholding and not being generous only leads to emptiness.
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Investing in people are the best earthly investments that have eternal value.” Adapted – Todays ODB Insight
PRAYER
“Thank You for the resources I have, God. I surrender them to You today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“OTHERS”
Lord, let me live from day to day,
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My pray’r shall be for OTHERS.
Yes, others, Lord, yes, others,
Let this my motto be;
Help me to live for others,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee,
That I may live like Thee.
Help me in all the work I do
To ever be sincere and true,
And know that all I’d do for you
Must needs be done for OTHERS.
Yes, others, Lord, yes, others,
Let this my motto be…
Let “Self” be crucified and slain
And buried deep, nor rise again
And may all efforts be in vain,
Unless they be for OTHERS.
Yes, others, Lord, yes, others,
Let this my motto be…
So when my work on earth is done,
And my new work in heav’n’s begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve won,
While thinking still of OTHERS.
Yes, others, Lord, yes, others,
Let this my motto be…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 149
