The True Rich Life

Today is Day 33 in our six-week "Generosity Campaign" at Riverwood. This week, we have the pleasure of learning from Luke Anderson, one of Riverwood's elders, as we conclude our "How to be Rich" series here on the Riverwood blog. So enjoy this closing Note from Luke, and may his words help you "take hold of that which is truly life."

by Luke Anderson

This week, as we draw toward the close of our generosity campaign, we get to focus on 1 Timothy 6:19, which says, “thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

In this verse, Paul is referring to the Jesus-followers he refers to in verse 18: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” Reviewing passages like this shows us just how much of an intimate relationship God wants to have with us. God does not just want us to do commands X, Y, and Z to gain his approval. God wants an immersive, deep relationship with us on every level, conforming us daily to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Let me explain. In this passage, Paul tells us in verse 18 that we as believers are to be rich in good works and to be generous and ready to share. These are great virtues to live by for anyone. However, Paul continues, showing us the why. In verse 19, he writes that these works of generosity allow us, as believers, to store up treasure for ourselves as a good foundation for the future. This is another way of saying, storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Why is this important?

It comes down to worship.

Worship leads to the Rich Life

We all have a purpose in life, which is to Worship God. Giving of our time, money, and resources are all forms of worshiping our Lord and Savior. With every paycheck, we have an opportunity to make a disciplined choice to submit to God and trust in his provision. As has been said during this generosity campaign, God does not need our money. But He does want our worship and a relationship with us!  Christ sacrificed so much for us that we can have this personal relationship with Him. Our giving of our money and our time removes us from our self-reliance and allows us to depend more on God. Giving should drive us closer to God.

This is what Paul means when he says, “storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future.” By investing our resources into Christ’s church, we are building not only our own faith but the ability to impact others for Christ as well. I can speak from experience that a strong foundation with God can make us unshakable in our faith when storms smash into our lives. God wants to share so much more in our lives. He wants to give us life in abundance! Through the discipline of daily faith in Him by reading His word, sacrificing our time, and giving of our finances, we grow daily to become more like Christ and “take hold of that which is truly life!”