The Life That Is Truly Life

The Life That Is Truly Life

In one installment of the comic strip Cathy, the main character is stuck in a Christmas-shopping traffic jam while she is trying to do her normal shopping. The cartoonist does a great job showing the reader Cathy’s frustration. When Cathy gets to the point of exasperation, no longer able to move, she screams out, “If stores really understood the holiday spirit, they’d open an express lane for the greedy.”

We live in an increasingly materialistic society. The scandals of Wall Street and the housing bubble collapse were because of the deadly sin of greed. Many people were deeply affected by the consequences of the decisions of those who were greedy.

Yet what we have failed to realize is that our quest to possess will ultimately possess us unless we intentionally combat it with an antidote. Do you know the antidote to greed? Scripture says the antidote to greed is generosity. As a matter of fact, the apostle Paul gives Timothy instructions on what to teach the wealthy in his congregation so that they won’t be captured by greed. Here are his words in 1 Timothy 6:17-19:

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

The last phrase of verse 19 is translated in The Message as the “life that is truly Life.”

Decide today to be generous. Be rich in good deeds and live for a purpose that is greater than yourself.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:17