I Timothy 6:17
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Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Resuming the subject from above, Ti1 6:5, Ti1 6:10. The immortality of God, alone rich in glory, and of His people through Him, is opposed to the lust of money (compare Ti1 6:14-16). From speaking of the desire to be rich, he here passes to those who are rich: (1) What ought to be their disposition; (2) What use they ought to make of their riches, and, (3) The consequences of their so using them. rich in this world--contrasted with the riches of the future kingdom to be the portion of believers at Christ's "appearing," Ti1 6:14. high-minded--often the character of the rich (see Rom 12:16). trust--Greek, "to have their trust resting." in . . . in--rather, "upon . . . upon," as the oldest manuscripts. uncertain riches--rather as Greek, "the uncertainty of riches." They who rest their trust on riches, rest trust on uncertainty itself (Pro 23:5). Now they belong to one person, now to another, and that which has many masters is possessed by none [THEODORET]. living God--The best manuscripts and versions omit "living." He who trusts in riches transfers to them the duty he owes to God [CALVIN]. who giveth--Greek, "affordeth." all things richly--temporal and eternal, for the body and for the soul. In order to be truly rich, seek to be blessed of, and in, God (Pro 10:22; Pe2 1:3). to enjoy--Greek, "for enjoyment." Not that the heart may cleave to them as its idol and trust (Ti1 4:3). Enjoyment consists in giving, not in holding fast. Non-employment should be far removed, as from man, so from his resources (Jam 5:2-3) [BENGEL].
Open source ↗I. He treats of the duty of servants (Ti1 6:1, Ti1 6:2). II. Of false teachers (Ti1 6:3-5). III. Of godliness and covetousness (Ti1 6:6-10). IV. What Timothy was to flee, and what to follow (Ti1 6:11, Ti1 6:12). V. A solemn charge (Ti1 6:13-16). VI. A charge for the rich (Ti1 6:17-19). And lastly, a charge to Timothy (Ti1 6:20, Ti1 6:21).
Open source ↗6:17-19 In light of 6:11-16, it is folly to treasure the transient wealth of this age (Jas 5:3). It is better to store up treasure for the coming age through trust in God and by being rich in good works and generous in love for others (see 1 Tim 1:5). 6:17-18 for our enjoyment: Christian hope does not lead to asceticism or communism but to the management of resources (Gen 1:28-30; 2:15), which we are to use for enjoyment (see 1 Tim 4:3-5; Ps 145:16; Acts 14:17) and for sharing Christ’s love with others (see Luke 12:16-34; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.
To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.