Relax and Enjoy: Wealth, Prosperity, and Giving, Part 3

Dear friends, I’ve been reflecting lately on the blessings of my life. This is the third post of 5 on my reflections of wealth and prosperity under the scrutiny of I Timothy 6:17-19 and 2 Corinthians 9. Click here to read Part 2.

We have been looking at the attainment of wealth and earthly prosperity through the lens of I Timothy 6. For those who set out and determined to be successful monetarily, I believe they go through three stages of wealth accumulation: 

  1. The Striving Stage – characterized by diligence and sacrifice. 
  2. The Acceleration Stage – characterized by growing confidence with the possibility of arrogance. 
  3. The Momentum Stage – characterized by access to ease and luxury with the possibility of misplacing hope upon riches. 

 Today our focus is on living life in the momentum stage. I know, I know — few people seem to achieve the momentum stage. However, I would remind you that wealth is relative.  I’m always reminded of this reality when I visit Malawi, Africa. 

 

Me? Rich? 

If you live in Orange County, California or Greenwich, Connecticut or even, The Woodlands, Texas, you may feel poor. But if you visit certain third-world countries and witness poverty first-hand, you will see that your regular paycheck puts you in this wealthy momentum stage. It’s all relative. If you just show up for work, stay out of trouble and do good work, it means you have developed a systematic cash flow machine. 

Therefore, the principles of this stage apply to virtually ALL OF US! 

For the true strivers of great wealth, the attainment of this stage is the ultimate success in life and business. It simply means that a cash-flow system and/or business is set for your benefit and the results are (almost) automatic. It’s the ultimate ‘flywheel’ effect I mentioned previously: massive effort initially with little movement, eventually reaches a tipping point that results in momentum. The initial grit and energy exerted in the early stages shows little effect. But eventually, it all pays off with a certain level of income momentum. 

 

To Enjoy It or Not Enjoy It? 

The natural tendency of our lives in this stage is to enjoy a certain level of ease and spend our money on what makes us happy. We tell ourselves to enjoy; we’ve earned it. This isn’t all bad. Depriving ourselves of the fruits of our labors is not really all that noble. Paul clearly stated that God is the source of this wealth and He gives it for our enjoyment. Fix their hope…on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy, I Timothy 6:17b. 

Let that sink in for a moment: God richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 

 

Responsibilities 

But our enjoyment and blessings come with certain responsibilities. The greater the wealth, the greater the responsibility. Our attitude and mindset about wealth is what is really important. When our passions and hopes are aligned with God’s Word, and set fully upon Him, then life is wonderful. Wonderful indeed. 

Paul tells Timothy to give the rich of this world a reminder of their responsibility as stewards of the earthly wealth God has given them. Read carefully! 

 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. I Timothy 6:18, 19 

 

Do Good! Be Generous!  

When I reflect upon the imperative to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, I’m reminded that those in the momentum phase usually arrived because they mastered the concept of delegation. Giving generously is easier for me than doing the good works myself. Admittedly, I am spoiled. Because of my position, I am able to delegate often in my life. (Believe me, this is common in the momentum stage when wealth is more plentiful than time). I’m reminded here that I need to ‘do good’ and be rich in good works.

Giving generously is not an excuse to be absent from doing good works and physically serving. The wealthy are to serve the same as everyone else in the body of Christ — AND they are to give generously, just like everyone else. 

The wealthy are to do good and give much! Do good! Give much! Not because God needs it. Because it is right; it is good; it is faithful stewardship; it is God’s will.  

 

The Good Life, Indeed! 

 Do good! Give much! We do it because it honors Him. Period. But God is so kind that He also gives us many blessings when we do good and give much. The prescription for a happy life is to do good and give much. Read again what Paul said. 

The result of doing good and giving much is that they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed, 6:19. 

 

Father, where our treasure is, there will our heart be as well. It’s a matter of the heart. Plant within our hearts your love to give and to serve. May we never place our hope in any earthly thing or person; our hope is in You. Grant us grace that regardless of our state on earth; poor, wealthy or somewhere in between — may you give us hearts that are passionate to do much good and give generously! Amen!