1 Timothy 6:17–21

Sermon Notes

This Sunday, David Leventhal closes out 1 Timothy with Paul’s final charge in 6:17–21. Paul challenges the wealthy not to hope in riches but in God, who richly provides all things. Then he gives Timothy one last reminder: guard the gospel. To help you reflect and apply this truth, we've provided a weekly reading plan with discussion questions. You can find it on the CityBridge App to follow along. Worship Set List →

Key Points

  • Words to the Rich (V. 17–19)

  • Final Words to Timothy (V. 20–21A)

  • Closing Benediction (V. 21B)

    Discussion Questions

  1. What does it look like for you to “hope in God” instead of in financial security? 

  2. Is your lifestyle helping or hindering your ability to be generous? 

  3. What specific steps can you take to become more “rich in good works”? 

  4. How are you currently guarding the truth of the gospel in your life and leadership? 

  5. Where do you see grace at work in your community?

Transcript

Guarding the Gospel, Releasing the Grip

Paul ends his letter to Timothy with a call to clarity: how we think about wealth and how we guard the truth. In a culture that idolizes riches and distorts the gospel, Paul gives two clear charges—one to the rich and one to those who lead.

The message? Don’t set your hope on wealth. Set it on the God who provides everything. And while you're at it—guard the gospel like your life depends on it. Because it does.

Hope in God, Not in Riches

We live in a world that whispers, “You are what you have.” Paul says otherwise. To those who have margin, access, and options, Paul warns: don’t be haughty, and don’t hope in riches.

Money is uncertain. It’s fragile. It’s fleeting. And when we treat it as a foundation for life, we’re building on sand. Paul calls this out, not to guilt the rich—but to ground them in the character of God, “who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”

God is generous. Not stingy. Not withholding. And the right response to His provision isn’t pride—it’s worship.

Live Rich in Good Works

Paul doesn’t just say what not to do—he paints a vision for what to do. For those with wealth: use it. Use it for good. Be rich in good works. Be generous. Be ready to share.

Why? Because generosity now is an investment in eternity. Paul echoes Jesus in saying, “Store up treasure in heaven.” When we open our hands in this life, we take hold of what is truly life.

This isn’t about guilt—it’s about joy. The rich aren’t rebuked for having wealth; they’re invited to steward it well.

Guard the Gospel

Paul then turns to Timothy with one final plea: “Guard the deposit entrusted to you.” That deposit is the gospel—the truth about Jesus, grace, and salvation.

False teaching sounds clever. It even sounds holy. But Paul calls it what it is: irreverent babble and fake wisdom. And he warns that drifting from the truth isn’t just intellectual—it’s spiritual. It can lead people to swerve from the faith.

That’s why Timothy—and we—are told to guard it. We don’t edit the gospel. We don’t dilute it. We defend it. And we pass it down.

The Church’s Charge

Paul ends the letter with one final word: grace. And the “you” in that final sentence is plural.

This wasn’t just Timothy’s job. It was the church’s. And it’s ours today. To be people who are grounded in truth and growing in godliness. Who see wealth as a tool, not a trophy. Who hold fast to grace and don’t drift from the gospel.

We don’t live this way to impress God. We live this way because we belong to Him. The gospel changes everything—and it’s worth guarding with our whole lives.

 
Sunday MessagesDavid Leventhal1 Timothy