[17] "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
Once again Paul points to eternal life, as the primary focus for our life. It is so easy to get caught up in the here and now, but the encouragement from Paul is to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal, which is true life. I like what Bill Johnson says - that heaven is the real reality. This life is just a preparation for the life to come, and it is with faith and hope that we are called to turn our eyes heavenward, towards eternal life, and make decisions based on what is really real, the life that is truly life.
Paul, again is not negative towards wealth, even stating clearly that it is "God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment". This is import ant to understand as well - God wants us to enjoy the blessings we received, enjoy this life, and recognize that everything good comes from Him. When God revealed Himself to Moses, he had to cover Moses when His goodness passed in front of him, (Exodus 3:19). In other words, His goodness is so good its blinding and even able to kill due to the raw power associated with it. However, we are not to focus on the good stuff God blesses us with, but rather on Him, the source of all goodness. It is Eternal life with God, who is the source of all goodness, that is our goal, we just receive a foretaste of that goodness here. That is the life that will truly be life
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