Young People's Group

Building a Good Foundation for the Future

by Mitchell Tan
April 28, 2017

UNDERSTANDING WHAT A “GOOD FOUNDATION” IS

What we do now in the building of our faith makes all the difference for the future. When we exercise faith and do good to others, God will remember our acts of love. What we are in fact doing is storing up for ourselves a good spiritual foundation for the future.

“Storing up for themselves a good foundation for the times to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:19

This good foundation is God remembering all the good deeds that we have done and then blessing us in return in time to come. King David made a prayer that the Lord would remember those who brought offerings to Him (Psalm 20:3). He would hear and answer them in the day of trouble. He would be there to defend them. In the same way, the Lord would remember to shower His blessings on those who do good works. Through the Lord’s blessings, they would be able to lay hold of eternal life.

THE WAY TO STORE UP A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

1. LEARNING NOT TO TRUST IN UNCERTAIN RICHES

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches …”
1 Timothy 6:17

The apostle Paul told Timothy to command those who were rich not to be proud or haughty. They were meant not to hope in themselves nor the riches that they had acquired. Earthly riches are uncertain and they definitely do not last. They can become a snare to people and bring about much sorrow to the heart (1 Timothy 6:9-10). We should not place our trust in the things of this world. Let’s choose not to hold fast to them.

2. LEARNING TO TRUST SOLELY IN THE LIVING GOD

“… But in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
1 Timothy 6:17

The word “But” in the Greek is meant to bring about a strong contrast. Our trust should not be at all in the things of the world. There should be a tremendous sense of purpose in placing our trust fully on the living God. This is because our God is alive, real and reliable. He is the One who gives life to all things (1 Timothy 6:13). We should hope in Him rather than in riches that are inanimate and uncertain. The Lord is the One who has blessed us richly in all things that we may enjoy them. Our trust should be in Him rather than in riches.

3. LEARNING TO BE RICH TOWARDS GOD AND IN GOOD WORKS

“Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share”
1 Timothy 6:18

Those who are rich are meant to help those who are poor. The challenge is for those who have more to be rich in good works. God’s blessings in our life and the riches we have are not meant for us to just enjoy alone. We are meant to use it to help others. There must come a greater sense of purpose to do good and then to be rich in good works. We are to be generous in our giving and be ready to give whenever the needs arise. The most important thing in life is not just to be rich materially. It is to be spiritually rich towards God. Young people, let’s learn to give and share with others that we may lay hold of eternal life.

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