Enjoying the Christian Life

[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

You wouldn't know it by the melancholy way that some professing Christians act but God wants His people to enjoy life. No, it's not more spiritual to be miserable. The Christian is not exempt from sorrows and burdens but the Christian life is still by far the most enjoyable life. Since the beginning the devil has sought to slander God by making Him out to be someone who is somehow holding out on us (Gen. 3:1-5). God richly gave the man and woman many things to enjoy in the garden but the devil pointed out the ONE thing that He withheld and then lied about it being something very good for them to partake of. Likewise, God has richly given us many things to enjoy but the devil tempts us to question God and partake of what He has forbidden. The devil tempts people to believe that sin is more enjoyable than righteousness. Of course, he does not tell them that the pleasures of sin are only for a SEASON (Heb. 11:25) and that the wages of sin is DEATH (Rom. 6:23). Everything that God forbids is for our own good. He loves us more than we even love ourselves. He knows what is best! God has given us natural desires and those desires should only be fulfilled in accordance with God's word. The world, flesh, and devil tempt us to fulfill those desires outside of God's boundaries. That is what temptation is all about. Consider the first temptation (Gen. 3). Is it sinful to possess a knowledge of good and evil? God Himself has that knowledge and He is no sinner! But they were not to obtain that knowledge in self-will. They were to trust God and His word. Consider the Satan's temptation of Christ in the wilderness (Matt. 4). Would it be sinful for Jesus to have the kingdoms of the world? It is God's will that He reign on earth but it would've been sinful for Him to receive those kingdoms by worshipping Satan. Temptation is often about fulfilling lawful desires in an unlawful way. It is not a sin to be hungry but it is sinful to be a glutton. It is not a sin to have sexual desire ("Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled") but it is sinful to be a fornicator and adulterer (Heb. 13:4). 

According to 1 Tim. 6:17-19, if we are going to enjoy life, we must: 

1. Trust in the living God (Prov. 3:5-6)

2. Recognize He is the Source of every good thing we have (Jam. 1:17)

3. Seek to be rich in good works (Eph. 2:10) instead of things (eternal reward vs. temporal gain)

4. Be a giver, not a taker (Acts 20:35; 2 Cor. 9:7)

5. Live each day in light of eternity (Titus 2:13)