17 Command people who are rich in this world not to be proud. Tell them not to put their hope in riches. Wealth is so uncertain. Command those who are rich to put their hope in God. He richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 Command the rich to do what is good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. They must give freely. They must be willing to share. 19 In that way they will put riches away for themselves. It will provide a firm basis for the next life. Then they will take hold of the life that really is life.
I like The Message version... very down to earth:
17-19Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
A quote from the video...
"Let's be honest. It's easy to go to a church service. It's easy to read the Bible. It's easy to discuss who believes what and who's right and who's wrong. It's easy. But when Jesus talks about His followers, he talks about people who are generous; people who clothe the naked... take food to the hungry... take water to the thirsty; people who visit the prisoner; people who invite the stranger in; people who give their time; people who give their energy; people who give their money. The best question isn't, "What can I get?" To take the way of Jesus seriously is to realize that the best question is, "What can I give?" Because all of us can give something - here, now, today, and then tomorrow and then the next day. What can you do to be more generous? You have been blessed. Who are you going to bless?"
Go after God. Be rich in helping others. Be extravagantly generous. What an encouragement! It reiterates that things I have done recently that some might view as extravagant (although I don't), are in direct obedience to God. That my giving is pleasing to Him. That I have been given much, and can use all that I have to bless others. None of the things I do, I do for my own glory. Yes, I am building up a lasting treasury. Yes, I am taking hold of what it truly is to live. But at the same time, I am acting in obedience to my Father, and that brings nothing but glory to His precious name! (Amen!)
At the same time, what a challenge. It was the challenge we left our group with... what can you do to give? What can you do to give more? Whose life are you going to bless? No matter how much we already give, there is a very good chance we could be doing and giving more. Give of our money. Give of our time. Give of our resources.... the list goes on.
To end....
"May you come to see that you're rich. And your possessions, they are luxuries that most people in the world don't have. And may you do what Jesus says: May you step in to your divine responsibility to give. And when you do, may you take hold of the life that is truly life."
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