WEDNESDAY May 21, 2025

Lay Hold on Eternal Life

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Timothy 6:18-19

Paul helped the rich refocus on their priorities. People who are blessed with wealth have a Christian duty to give and not be selfish. Instead of storing up riches for themselves, they were encouraged to store up riches for a time to come––their entrance into heaven. This is the second time Paul mentioned laying hold of eternal life, and that was to be their aim. How was that to be accomplished? They were to focus on the spiritual, not on the material aspects of life. Through their good works––giving and sharing––they were storing up treasures in heaven.

Listen to how Jesus taught us to store up treasures in heaven and, in doing so, focus our attention to lay hold of eternal life:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

When the rich give, they are laying up treasures in heaven, and that is the best way to live. Having a heavenly perspective will change a person’s entire outlook. A giving person is one who is really happy. That is why we need to remember the words of Jesus when He said: ... “ ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35).

Listen, if you have plenty, and you see others in need, I encourage you to take action––to do something about it. How many times have you seen someone in need, and you have just walked away from the situation? If God has given you the means, why not stop to help them? Do not keep your wealth for yourself––give.

The veil of money has never been about how much money you have but about how much money has you.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!