As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” vs. 17
1 Timothy 6:13-19
We should not imagine that all of the followers of Jesus were poor people. Just as in our time, people from all walks of life were attracted to him and to his message, and he loved them all. It is true that as the years passed, the church’s egalitarian message did have a special attraction for the poor. The faith community welcomed them and their poverty was not a barrier to inclusion. But there were still many rich people who found a home in those communities too. And they were expected to be rich in good works and generous in sharing–but they were also enjoined to be humble, and that was perhaps the biggest challenge of all. There’s a certain arrogance that can accompany those who are wealthy, and sometimes, even when they don’t realize it, they can carry an attitude of entitlement and privilege. That’s not always true of course, and what a blessing it is when the wealthiest people in a congregation are also the most down-to-earth and least pretentious. Because they know that God is the source of all wealth, they are able to look to the needs of others first, and can use their gifts to help and to serve. Their humility is their richest gift of all!
Thought for the Day: Why do humility and wealth sometimes not mix well?
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