1 Timothy 6:17: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1 Timothy 6 stresses the danger of having a bad attitude toward material things. After warning about those who suppose that “gain is godliness” (1 Tim. 6:5), stating “those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare” (verse 9), and declaring “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (verse 10), the Holy Spirit through Paul gave a “charge” for the rich.
He first charged that the rich should not be “highminded.” Those who are rich can be tempted to view themselves more highly than those who are poor. Such arrogance must be avoided.
The second charge given to the rich in
1 Timothy 6:17 is that they should not “trust in uncertain riches.”
Riches can be here one day and gone the next. Centering one’s hope on these things is foolishness (cf. Luke 12:16-21).
God does not condemn having earthly wealth, but He warns against and condemns wrong attitudes toward them.
Whether rich or poor, we must be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5). We must be humble, set our affection on things above (Col. 3:2), and we must be “rich in good works” (1 Tim. 6:18).
– Michael Hickox