God Doesn’t Need Your Good Works, But…
Sunday’s Verses:
From 1 TImothy 6:17-18 ESV
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
We take a break from our look at various Biblical memes I’ve collected. Tomorrow we’ll start again. Today, we look at our appointed Epistle Reading from 1 Timothy 6.
We live in a culture that says the good life is all about what we have. More money. More stuff. More security. Paul is calling Timothy’s — and our — bluff: the things we accumulate in this life will never bring us true riches.
These verses aren’t about shame for what we have. They’re a call to account for how we steward what we’ve been given. Do we open our hands, or do we clutch our treasures? God “richly provides” so that we may serve him, not so that we can sit back and store up. Generosity and good works are not a matter of obligation for Christians; they are the evidence of a living faith.
This is where the Lutheran doctrine of faith and works is on display. Our works do not save us — not even our good ones. We are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. But this faith is active, not passive. It is evident in our love for God and neighbor, our generosity, our mercy, and our good deeds.
As Luther put it, “God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does.” That’s the point of these verses. To be “rich in good works” is to put our living faith into action in ways that bless those around us. Not to earn God’s favor, but to show his favor because we already have it in Christ.
So this week, consider: How can I be rich in good works? Who around me needs my time, my care, my resources? How can I display the generosity of God in the currency of my own life?
Because in the end, it’s not about what we hoard. It’s about what we give away.
(By the way, the quote above attributed to Martin Luther is taken from Gustaf Wingren’s book “Luther on Vocation,” page 10)
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord, let us not trust in riches but in You who are the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Awaken in us a faith that goes, a faith that serves, a faith that gives. Make us rich in good works, for our neighbor's sake and for the glory of Your name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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