In light of the harsh words
directed towards the wealthy that are reported in the synoptic tradition, it is
striking to find an accommodation of the rich within the New Testament. That is
found in 1 Tim. 6.17-19 where giving to the poor justifies the possession of
wealth.
As for the rich in this world,
charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but
on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good,
to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a
good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is
life indeed.
The phrase, ‘a good foundation’,
could be rendered ‘good treasure’ based on Tob. 4.9-10. The idea of treasure is
certainly implicated in the verb αποθησαυριζοντας.
The heavenly fund is built up through liberality. The passage clearly indicates
that benevolence by the rich will be advantageous for them in the future where
they may ‘take hold of the life which is life indeed’. While this still falls
short of an unequivocal endorsement of redemptive almsgiving, the text is clearly
consistent with such a doctrine. (Roman Garrison, Redemptive Almsgiving in
Early Christianity [Library of New Testament Studies 77; Sheffield: JSTO
Press, 1993], 70-71)
