1 Timothy 6
If
you know the answer to the title question, then you either a) love NFL
football; b) love the New England Patriots; or c) actually watched the Super
Bowl game and not just the commercials and half-time show. Malcolm is the
rookie free agent defensive back who single handledly put an end to the drive
that would have allowed the Seatle Seahawks to win two consecutive Super Bowls.
Some
players when they make a big play are all about making themselves the center of
attention. Malcolm seemed to be the exact opposite. Following the game the NBC
sideline reporter had to chase him down to get an interview. And when she asked
him a question, he seemed emotional to the point that he could barely respond.
He did anything but come across as if the whole game depended on him.
“Command those who are
rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,
which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us
with everything for our enjoyment”. 1
Timothy 6:17
Apparently
some of the believers in Ephesus had a problem with money – imagine that! Human
nature hasn’t changed much has it? Even back in the first century people put
too much emphasis; too much trust; too much hope in their money.
But,
this verse has a much wider application for us than money. The question isn’t
do you put your hope in wealth, but what do you put your hope in? It could be
money; but it could just as easily be a relationship, your career, your
abilities – really almost anything.
Our
human nature trusts in ourselves. We trust in what we can see and control. We
live in an earthly body that is prone to desire what is here and now, and then
to take credit for it when we get it. It’s called pride, and we all struggle
with it.
It
would have been easy for Malcolm Butler to take all the credit; to say I worked
hard to get where I’m at and I deserve this; to say my hope all along has been
in me and my efforts. But he didn’t. In fact, after intercepting the pass, as he
ran to the sidelines, he pointed up. I took this to mean, give God the glory.
What
do you hope in; trust in; have faith in? In the above verse Paul wrote Timothy
to tell the rich Ephesians to “put their
hope in God”. Like the rich Ephesians, we need to identify what we hope and
trust in other than God; confess it and embrace our Heavenly Father who loves
us unconditionally and gives us every good gift.
Imagine
a world where there was a Super Bowl to end all Super Bowls. Where Tom Brady
and the Patriots would never need to snap another ball; run another down; score
The
world loves a system like the Old Covenant. In fact, the world is built on a
system like that where you earn what you get; where you climb your way to the
top; where you accumulate stuff as a sign of success. It appeals to our pride;
our desire to control; our sense of being able to do it ourselves. In fact, this
is a system where you can earn your salvation. 
