31 Days: The Rich In This Present Age

"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be naughty, not 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 that they may take hold of that which is truly life." I Timothy 6:17-19 ESV

I have come to love these verses in I Timothy. I love them because they show that money is not actually the problem, it's the love of it; the wanting to own it, to have it. I love the idea that there is no problem with being channels of lots of money - to God be the glory! I also love them, because if any verses give us a "list" that details storing up treasure, it's these -- Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share.

He's talking to the rich people but I don't think we have to have lots of money in order to give; there are so many ways to invest in other's lives. I don't think we have to have lots of money to be 'rich in this present state'. For years, swallowed up in bills to pay and money owed, it felt like we were always the takers. I think there are seasons where we may need to be ok with that. Sometimes we really aren't in a place financially to give much money away.

But we are very rich people! There are always ways to give. Some of us are rich in a godly heritage, rich in talents, rich in time, rich in wisdom, rich in love. There's no way I can cover all the many ways to give to those around us but maybe I can stir our thinking.

Just as there are many ways to give, there are also so many, many people to give to. Sometimes the needs feel overwhelming. There are people in our churches, people in our communities, people we read about on the other side of the world. Sometimes, if you're like me, it feels like there is not much a busy, stay-at-home mom can do. Maybe I need a shift in my perspective.