Ang mayayaman sa materyal na bagay ay utusan mong huwag magmataas at huwag umasa sa kayamanang lumilipas. Sa halip, umasa sila sa Diyos na masaganang nagbibigay ng lahat ng mga bagay para sa ating kasiyahan.  

1 Timoteo 6:17 (MBB)

Nagsimula si Eli bilang isang tindero ng isda sa palengke. Dahil sa tiyaga at pagsusumikap, lumago ang kanyang puwesto at ngayon ay wholesaler na siya ng isda.  Sa kanya kumukuha ang mga mga may-ari ng maliliit na tindahan at karinderya. Hindi nagtagal, yumaman na si Eli. Hindi niya nakalimutang magpasalamat sa Diyos at nanatili siyang mapagkumbaba. Pero, sa bawat biyayang natanggap niya, parang hindi niya ma-enjoy kasi feeling niya bawal magsaya.  

Paul instructed Timothy to teach the rich members of the church to be humble and to put their trust in God and not in money. Paul said that they should trust God who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.  

It would be good for Eli to shake any feeling of guilt or remorse when the Lord blesses him with things or opportunities to enjoy. Every good and perfect gift is from God, according to  James 1:17. Our God is not a stingy God. He can give us our needs and also our wants. He looks at our heart if we can manage such bountiful blessings. That is the nature of our God — a loving God who wants to see His children enjoy His blessings. Ang paalala ng 1 Timoteo 6:17 sa mga pinagpapala ng Diyos ay, “umasa sila sa Diyos na masaganang nagbibigay ng lahat ng mga bagay para sa ating kasiyahan.” So while we should never fall into the trap of losing our focus on God, we also need to prepare our hearts and make it a fertile ground for receiving overflowing blessings.

Following Christ is not a walk in the park. There are sacrifices to make as we follow Him. But we should be ready for the seasons of abundant blessings that He gives us.