292. God Gives Richly
1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
Trust in uncertain riches or in the living God? Serve God and Mammon? Most people basically know they have a clear black-and-white choice: Trust in God or trust in money. Even though we know down deep that it is an either-or choice, a one or the other option, a black and white difference, we are still tempted to think we can have it both ways, holding on to both, seeking after both, trusting in both at the same time. However, the Bible militates against such deceptive thinking. 2 Kings 18:21: “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”
It comes down to trust, and the Word calls it out and names it so. In what or in whom will you trust? Note the difference between uncertain riches and the living God. God, Jesus, Elijah, and Paul have a way of cutting through the fog and deception and making us see clearly what trust is all about. The obvious answer to the question is: Trust in the living God, who is good and gives. But Sin and Satan and the Flesh and the World obfuscate the evident clarity, and they make it look gray and cloudy: we have to trust in money, don’t we, at least a little? Paul, Jesus, and Elijah would say, “No, you don’t. Trust God. Alone.”
We need this promise: God gives us richly all things to enjoy! How do we know we have such a living and giving God? Look at the Cross and the Empty Tomb. Can God really be that good? Believe the Gospel. Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? The Cross is the motivation to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. The Gospel compels us to love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. We love Him because He first loved us. By the power of the Spirit we are able to believe that God gives us richly. He gives us all things to enjoy. He gives us everything we need for contentment, calm, and happiness, and to be at peace.
Why does He give us all things? He richly gives us all things for the purpose of our enjoyment. Yes, “things” are to be enjoyed, not to be wasted on our own creature comfort, but to receive things from the Giver with thanksgiving. Enjoy God forever.