Living for the Future in the Present, Part 3 - 1 Timothy 6:18-19

<<Living for the Future in the Present, Part 1
<<Living for the Future in the Present, Part 2

"Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in goods works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come so that they may take hold of life that is real."

In Part 1 of this three-part SBM mini-series, Paul instructed Timothy to train himself in godliness in this present life in order to prepare for eternal life. In Part 2 Paul told Timothy to fight for his faith and start living the lifestyle of eternal life in the present.

In these verses Paul alludes to Jesus' admonition from the Sermon on the Mount to store up treasures in heaven: "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth... But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

Jesus was saying that there are parallel universes at work in our lives that are in conflict with one another because the physical world in which we live is in rebellion against God's Kingdom.

So the citizens of God's Kingdom  living in this present world are faced with a dilemma because a new perspective has been superimposed on their old perspective.

When the unseen world of God’s Kingdom is revealed, a person’s expectations for the future begin to impact how that person lives in the present because of this transformed perspective.

And we start to live in the present reality because of the way things will be in the future—living for the future in the present.

According to Paul, the wealth of this world is uncertain so rich people should put their hope in God and not their riches because God is the source of everything we need for satisfaction in living (vs 17).

So, the way to store treasure in heaven is to be rich in good deeds and generosity.

Paul surmises that when one stores treasure in heaven, he lays a foundation for eternal life. So Paul exhorts Timothy and all disciples to claim the benefits of eternal life in greater fullness in this present life. 

Because we are citizens of both a present and future life, in this present life we can prepare for participation in eternal life through generosity and doing good deeds for others in the present life.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you" (Matthew 6:33).