"Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others"
As followers of Jesus Christ we know that we are called to serve others and to speak with kindness. Our deeds and our words should demonstrate our faith. 1 Timothy 6:18 also tells us we should be generous with our money. God likes a cheerful giver who is generous to those in need (2 Corinthians 9:17).
There is something else noteworthy about this verse. In the last part, Paul tells Timothy to, "always be ready to share with others." This is an important point that we can easily pass over. Paul is trying to remind us that it's hard to be generous towards others if we aren't prepared to do so. For example, how can we provide a thirsty visitor a drink if we don't have any beverages on hand? To be generous means we are planning ahead to give. If you never carry any cash, it's difficult to leave a tip sometimes. If you don't have a tissue available, it's harder to comfort someone who is sad.
Think about how you can be better prepared to be generous in your life. As an example, I keep some jumper cables in the trunk of my car. I'm not sure if I've ever used them for myself, but I know I've helped out a few "dead battery" motorists over the years. It would have been difficult to provide this kind of aid if I hadn't prepared for it ahead of time. What is something you can provide in a particular area of need? How can you get yourself ready to share?
(New Living Translation; photo credit: Wix media)