Lifestyles of the Rich and Generous

They (the rich) are to do good, to be rich in good works, 1 Timothy 6:18

^{Text: 1 Timothy 6:17-21
Yesterday marked our final message in the book of 1 Timothy. I ask myself, "How has God used the study of 1 Timothy to change me?"
I love preaching and teaching the Word, but the words of my sermon only represent a small fraction of the time I spend in study, prayer, and contemplation over the text.  So how am I more like Jesus as a result?
Upon reflection, I think God is increasing my boldness and confidence in the gospel. As I consider Timothy's apparent reluctance to confront false teachers and guard the gospel, the Holy Spirit has pointed out a similar timidity in me.
Paul challenges Timothy to guard the gospel, fight for the gospel, be an example of the gospel, immerse himself in the gospel, and teach and urge people to follow the gospel. Paul writes in 3:15,  "If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."
Paul uses two Greek words in this verse, stulos and hedraioma, translated as “pillar” and “buttress.” Stulos means “pillar, column, prop, or support” and is found only three times in the New Testament. Hedraioma means “prop or support” and is found only in this verse. Both words come from Greek root words that imply something that stiffens, stabilizes, steadies, or holds. Paul is not referring to “the church” as the source of truth or the creator of truth. He’s saying “the church” is what holds up and holds firm the truth in the world. We do this by bolding preaching the gospel and the entire Word of God! We don't simply do this on Sunday during the sermon. We do this by making much of Jesus every day! We've been given an incredible responsibility!
What I do as an ambassador for Jesus matters a lot! What you do as an ambassador for Jesus matters a lot! How we conduct ourselves, how we use our money, how we treat our spouse, the way we discipline our children--these things matter because we represent The Truth. The mission of Grace Church is God-ordained. We represent Jesus and serve as His loving hands and feet and as His voice of warning and conscience to our sin-loving culture.
Yes, those of us who truly desire to be faithful ambassadors for Jesus get impatient with the speed of our process. We get frustrated with our own sin and selfishness. But change happens. God is sanctifying His children. It's a much better process when we work with the Holy Spirit by submitting to the Word of God rather than fighting against Him.
This working with the Holy Spirit happens best when we focus on the head, heart, and hands application of the Word. We are changed through sound doctrine (knowledge), our union with Christ (heart), and our dedicated service (hands). For some people, religion is all head knowledge. For others, is feeling and experience. And some focus only on good deeds of charity with no attention to the heart or the work of grace. We must commit to all three, properly balanced! Will you follow the Holy Spirit and live as a pillar and buttress of the truth today?
YESTERDAY'S APPLICATION:}