A Life That Lasts

Tell people who are rich at this time not to become egotistical and not to place their hope on their finances, which are uncertain. Instead, they need to hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. When they do these things, they will save a treasure for themselves that is a good foundation for the future. That way they can take hold of what is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19, CEB)

From the time we enter young adulthood, we start building our future. We invest our energy, our resources, and our hopes into creating a life that will last. But Paul reminds us that not everything we build has the same foundation. Some things last. Some things don’t.

Paul speaks to those who have some measure of stability — people who have built something. His concern isn’t wealth itself but the temptation to trust it. Riches feel solid, but they are “uncertain,” shifting like sand beneath our feet. We only need to remember market fluctuations, recessions, and dot‑com crashes to know how quickly what seems secure can change. 

So Paul redirects our trust toward God, toward goodness, and toward generosity.

He invites us to be “rich in good works,” “generous,” and “ready to share.” These aren’t just moral tasks. They are building materials. They form “a good foundation for the future,” a life rooted in something deeper than what we own.

In Paul’s vision, the life that lasts is not the life that accumulates but the life that gives.

This passage invites all of us, whatever our material means, to look honestly at where we place our trust and the things we value. Are we relying on tomorrow's uncertainty and overlooking the opportunity to build something that truly lasts? Paul reminds us that generosity is not about “giving away what’s mine,” but about sharing what God has entrusted to us for the sake of others. When we loosen our grip, we discover that we’re not losing anything — we’re participating in God’s abundance and building a foundation that endures. 

Generous God of provision, turn our hearts toward what lasts. Free us from trusting in what cannot hold us and anchor us in Your steady love. Make us rich in good works, joyful in generosity, and ready to share what You’ve placed in our hands. Build in us a life rooted in You — a life that is truly a life of joy, hope, and the prosperity of Your kingdom. Amen.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Tim