Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18
“To do good He adds another remedy to the former, for correcting the sinful dispositions of rich men, by stating authoritatively what is the lawful use of riches; for the richer any man is, the more abundant are his means of doing good to others; and because we are always more tardy than we ought to be in giving to the poor, he employs many words in
commendation of that virtue.”
John Calvin in Commentary on Timothy, Titus, Philemon (CCEL) 139.
Why command the rich with four infinitives: to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous, and to be willing to share? It’s a simple explanation.
The more wealthy people become, the less generous by percentage, they become. It’s the opposite of the New Testament command to give proportionately.
Whether you look at Giving USA or other global giving data, the numbers don’t lie. We may tell ourselves we are doing good, but we are not doing good to our capacity.
Let me remind you of the implications. We miss out on bringing the kingdom to our context. God does not forces us to live according to His economy. He invites us to.
As I ponder my interaction with scholars on financial matters, I gain courage to echo the biblical commands. I must do this not because I am trying to rob anyone but to help them.
The word “tardy” makes me think of grade school. The teacher would use the term to describe a student late for class. They missed important stuff because they were tardy.
Don’t miss out on participating in the expansion of God’s kingdom right where you are. Put to work all your are and all you have and see what happens.