Young People's Group

Rich in Good Works

by Mitchell Tan
May 19, 2017

REMEMBERING AUNTY MAUREEN

Do you remember Aunty Maureen? She passed away on 7th May 2017 after three years of fighting pancreatic cancer. I think most of us who have gone for previous Youth Conferences and Junior Camps would remember her as one of aunties who helped out in the kitchen. In recent times, she has shared her faith in God at the Morning Worship Service. I thank God for her example in how she had sought to serve the Lord in her own special ways. During the memorial and funeral services, much was shared about her faith and the Lord that she had come to love. Bethany was home to her and it is here that she would be remembered. She is an example of what it means to have faith in the Lord God.

HOPING IN THE LIVING GOD

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
1 Timothy 6:17

The word “trust” in Greek is actually the idea of hope. The rich are not meant to be proud and to place their definite hope in riches that are uncertain and ephemeral. The challenge was for them to place their full hope in the living God. He is the one who gives us all things richly to enjoy. Aunty Maureen placed her trust in the living God and not in the riches of the world. During her last visit to Singapore at Easter time, she spoke of how she was not afraid to die because her full hope was in the Lord. Young people, our hope also should be fully in the living God.

BEING RICH 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 have more are meant to have a tremendous sense of purpose in doing that which is good in the eyes of the Lord. Paul wrote of how they were meant to be rich in good works. God has given to us richly all things to enjoy. Our response is to be rich towards God. Our heart should be one that is generous in giving to others and ready to share with others. This was something special about Aunty Maureen. She had a heart that was ready to give and willing to share. I have heard of how she has helped many people in their times of need. She was willing to give without wanting to be known for what she had done. She exemplified what it meant to have the gift of giving (Romans 12:8). She gave with liberality. Young people, do you know how to give and share with others too? Our faith should result in works too.

LAYING HOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE

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

God remembers what we do for others on His behalf. The word “storing up” in Greek has the idea of “treasuring up”. It has the similar meaning as “laying up treasures” in heaven as taught by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 6:20). This idea of laying up treasures is seen from the Lord’s perspective. The Lord Jesus taught the rich young ruler of how he was to sell whatever he had, give to the poor and he would have treasures in heaven (Mark 10:21). This is the good foundation that those who give would have for the future. Young people, let’s also seek to store up for ourselves a good foundation for the future that we may lay hold of eternal life both on earth and in heaven.

Back to Article Listing