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Psalm 17:14
From menwhich are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world,which have their portion inthis life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hidtreasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of theirsubstance to their babes.

Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: …

Matthew 10:41,42
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward…

foundation.

Proverbs 10:25
As the whirlwind passeth, sois the wicked nomore: but the righteousis an everlasting foundation.

Luke 6:48,49
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock…

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

the time.

Proverbs 31:25
Strength and honourare her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Luke 16:9,25
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations…

See on ver.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

So that they may take hold of that which is truly life
This part of the verse contrasts temporal, material life with eternal, spiritual life. The phrase "take hold" implies an active pursuit and commitment, echoing Paul's exhortation inPhilippians 3:12-14 to press on toward the heavenly prize. "Truly life" refers to the abundant life Jesus promises inJohn 10:10, which is not merely physical existence but a deep, fulfilling relationship with God. Culturally, this would have been a radical concept in a Greco-Roman world focused on wealth and status. Theologically, it points to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Paul has just urged wealthy believers to “be rich in good works…generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). In that flow, “treasuring up for themselves” is not selfish stockpiling but an intentional investment in eternal realities.

• Every act of generosity deposits lasting treasure, echoing Jesus’ command inMatthew 6:19-20: “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

• This is personal—each believer lays up treasure “for themselves,” just as the faithful servant inLuke 12:33 “provides…an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.”

• Earthly riches vanish (Proverbs 23:5), yet what we give away out of love for Christ is credited to our heavenly account (Philippians 4:17).

Paul next pictures these heavenly deposits becoming a solid footing that will stand forever.

• A “firm foundation” recalls Jesus’ parable of the wise builder whose house withstood the storm because it was founded on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25). Obedience and generosity now pour concrete for our eternal dwelling.

• In1 Corinthians 3:11-14 Paul says that works built on Christ survive the fire and “a reward” follows. Likewise, giving in faith pours into a foundation that will not crumble at judgment.

• The phrase “for the future” looks beyond retirement years to the kingdom to come, aligning with1 Peter 1:4 “an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.”

The purpose clause shows why the foundation matters: it positions us to “take hold.”

• Earlier Paul urged Timothy, “Take hold of eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). Generous living grips that life practically; stinginess loosens the grip.

•Hebrews 6:18 encourages us to “take hold of the hope set before us.” A life of open-handed giving keeps hope tangible, not theoretical.

• By investing in others, we grasp what God is doing and partner with Him (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).

Paul finishes by clarifying the prize: “that which is truly life.”

• “Truly life” contrasts with the false security riches offer (1 Timothy 6:17). Real life is found in Christ alone (John 14:6) and enjoyed now through fellowship with Him (John 10:10 “life in all its fullness”).

•1 John 5:12 states, “He who has the Son has life.” Our giving testifies that we already possess this life and anticipates its fullest expression in eternity (Revelation 21:3-4).

• Thus, generous obedience is not losing life but laying hold of it, trading temporary currency for eternal vitality.

1 Timothy 6:19 teaches that purposeful generosity is the believer’s way of banking in heaven. Each gift becomes treasure that forms an unshakable foundation for the age to come, enabling us to seize the only life that lasts—the abundant, eternal life found in Christ.

Here a simple command, in complete accordance with the teaching: of Christ, is given, and a definite consequence is attached to the obeying the command. If the "rich"--the word "rich," we must remember, is a broad term, and in St. Paul's mind would comprehend many a one who would hesitate to apply the term in its strict sense to himself--if the "rich," or the comparatively rich, are really generous and kind with their wealth--and of this God alone can be judge--then with these perishable, fleeting riches they are laying the foundation of an everlasting habitation on the other side the veil. Bengel quaintly expresses the truth, slightly changing the metaphor--"Mercator, naufragiosalvus, thesauros domum praemissos invenit."

That they may lay hold on eternal life.--The older authorities here, instead of "eternal," readtruly. The sentence will then read thus,that they may lay hold on that which is truly life--that is, may lay hold on that whichin truth deserves the name "life," because the fear of death will no longer cast its gloomy shadow over it. This "laying hold on eternal life" isthe end the wise rich Christian proposes to himself, when he orders his earthly life and administers his earthly goods, and St. Paul has just showed Timothy how this "end" is to be reached by such a man.

Such plain statements in the Book of Life as the foregoing by no means weaken the divine truth so often repeated, that men are saved only by the blood of Christ, with which they must sprinkle their sin scarred souls. Poor men and rich men alike may try; they will find, with all their brave struggles, that ofthemselves they will never win salvation, theycannot redeem their souls.

But such plain statements as we have here, and inLuke 16:9, tell us, if we really are "of Christ's," sprinkled with His precious blood, then we must try with heart and soul, with hand and brain, to follow out such charges as we have just been discussing.