1 Timothy 6:17–21 (ESV)
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 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. 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
When I lived in Monterey, CA, I was invited to participate in a Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ golf tournament. I’m not sure if my friends were desperate for a fourth player for their group or if they just wanted a good laugh, as my golfing skills are lacking.
The round of golf went as expected until we reached a par three hole. When our group approached the tee, we were suddenly greeted by Trent Dilfer, who was at that time the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens and had just won the Super Bowl. It was a bit unreal to be standing in the presence of and having a personal conversation with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. We had a delightful conversation with him, and he was very open and candid regarding his faith in Christ.
As we come to the end of this first letter from Paul to Timothy, Paul has several final instructions for Timothy as Timothy presses on with his ministry calling. It should be no surprise that Paul closes this letter by giving Timothy more practical instructions regarding living out a relationship with Christ in a healthy community of faith.
There is a charge to instruct the wealthy to do good with their material possessions, a charge to Timothy to guard what’s been entrusted to him, and the encouragement of grace.
Grace is key, but before we touch on grace, let’s look at the other charges and warnings.
The first charge concerns instructing those who are wealthy to be humble, responsible with their wealth, and to make sure that they are centered on God, who richly gives us everything. Just to be clear, it’s not about using wealth to buy God’s favor and ensure one’s future. The New Testament is clear that we are justified by faith in Christ alone, a point that Paul labors over again and again in Romans. Paul is just giving one more exhortation about money and its proper place for disciples of Christ.
Second, we get warnings about those who claim to have special “knowledge” that leads to fuller or real salvation. These warnings concern the early beginnings of Gnosticism, and Paul points out that false teaching leads in a direction completely away from faith in Christ alone. I think that’s why Paul concludes with that final remark, “Grace be with you.”
So, what does Paul mean when he says, “Grace be with you”? There are many different definitions for grace: God’s mercy, God’s unmerited favor, blessings from God, divine assistance, or a virtue coming from God, God’s loving-kindness, and so on. Think of those definitions like spokes on a wheel. The definitions above are merely the spokes on the wheel; the hub is what matters. The hub is what holds the wheel together and makes it all possible. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God says to Paul, “My Grace is sufficient for you…” Grace, at its core - the very hub of Grace, is God’s presence with us. This is reflected in John 1:16 when John writes, “For from his fullness [Jesus] we have all received, grace upon grace.”
The grace received is the very presence of God with us.
Imagine it if you can. The absolute holiness of God. All of His purity and goodness condescending to be present with sinful humanity, the unlimited being wrapped in limited human flesh in the person of His Son Jesus, present with us so that we might have a relationship with Him, initiated by and through Him. Through that grace, we are given life, and through that grace, we are able to love, truly love, the Lord and love others, and to live in a community of faith together despite our vast diversity and differences.
It is incredible and amazing, and I encourage you to open your heart and mind to His presence with you in every moment of every day.
Grace be with you.
Know that you are prayed for this morning.
Scott