Kyle Manley

*__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… -* I Timothy 6:17-20a (ESV)

Several years ago, when I was in business school, one of my finance professors defined risk as “a measure of uncertainty.” While there are a number of other definitions (and equations) people have used to explain risk, I found this simple explanation to be the most helpful…and insightful.

However, when the Apostle Paul exhorts the rich to not set their hopes on the “uncertainty” of riches, I don’t think he was making an assessment of the risk management skills of the financial advisors among Timothy’s flock. Instead, he was revealing to them that they were ultimately finding their security in insecure assets. As a result, they were, unbeknownst to them, taking an imprudent risk by measuring their uncertainty with the wrong equation. Because, in God’s Kingdom, the formula for true riches is living (and giving) generously.

Perhaps there’s never been a season in our lifetime like this one where uncertainty is on display all around us. Whether we’re tempted to find our security in our wealth or our health, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed both to be more fragile than we ever realized. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy is no less true today than it was in the first century. By living generously, even in these uncertain times, we can, with certainty, build a ‘good foundation for the future and guard the deposit entrusted to us.’

#### REFLECTION QUESTIONS

- How does the biblical view of the “uncertainty of riches” align with our idea of “financial security”?
- In uncertain economic times, does it feel more risky to be generous? If so, what does that reveal about where we truly find our confidence and peace?
- What is the “deposit” entrusted to us? How does our understanding of the gospel and the generosity of Jesus help us guard it?


#### PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus, who traded his riches for poverty, so that we could be made rich. Thank you that because of your providential care for us, your children, we can face uncertainty with great peace. By your grace and through your Spirit, would you make us generous and ready to share so that the world would see, even in this season, the hope that we have in the gospel. And may our generosity multiply greatly and produce fruit both now and in the days to come. Open our eyes to see what is truly life, and open our hearts to share that life with a world that desperately needs it. Thank you for graciously providing for us everything to enjoy, and may we find great joy in serving you and others. Amen.

We exist to spread the message of biblical generosity in order to grow generous givers especially among those entrusted with much.

Generous Giving

Business & Career

The dangers of finding security in insecure assets.

GIVING | May 11, 2023

Risk, Riches, and True Life

By: Kyle Manley

We exist to spread the message of biblical generosity in order to grow generous givers especially among those entrusted with much.

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