Who is Malcom Butler?

1 Timothy 6

 

If you know the answer to the title question, then you either a) love NFL football; b) love the New England Patriots; or c) actually watched the Super Bowl game and not just the commercials and half-time show. Malcolm is the rookie free agent defensive back who single handledly put an end to the drive that would have allowed the Seatle Seahawks to win two consecutive Super Bowls.

 

Some players when they make a big play are all about making themselves the center of attention. Malcolm seemed to be the exact opposite. Following the game the NBC sideline reporter had to chase him down to get an interview. And when she asked him a question, he seemed emotional to the point that he could barely respond. He did anything but come across as if the whole game depended on him.

 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment”.    1 Timothy 6:17

 

Apparently some of the believers in Ephesus had a problem with money – imagine that! Human nature hasn’t changed much has it? Even back in the first century people put too much emphasis; too much trust; too much hope in their money.

 

But, this verse has a much wider application for us than money. The question isn’t do you put your hope in wealth, but what do you put your hope in? It could be money; but it could just as easily be a relationship, your career, your abilities – really almost anything.

 

Our human nature trusts in ourselves. We trust in what we can see and control. We live in an earthly body that is prone to desire what is here and now, and then to take credit for it when we get it. It’s called pride, and we all struggle with it.

 

It would have been easy for Malcolm Butler to take all the credit; to say I worked hard to get where I’m at and I deserve this; to say my hope all along has been in me and my efforts. But he didn’t. In fact, after intercepting the pass, as he ran to the sidelines, he pointed up. I took this to mean, give God the glory.

 

What do you hope in; trust in; have faith in? In the above verse Paul wrote Timothy to tell the rich Ephesians to “put their hope in God”. Like the rich Ephesians, we need to identify what we hope and trust in other than God; confess it and embrace our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and gives us every good gift.