We will finish our read through 1 Timothy this morning and jump into 2 Timothy tomorrow - our reading schedule is; Monday 1 Timothy 6, Tuesday - 2 Timothy 1, Wednesday - 2 Timothy 2, Thursday - 2 Timothy 3, and Friday 2 Timothy 4.
To understand the opening verses of chapter 6 it is important to first understand Paul's view of this life and eschatology. Paul believed that this age was coming to an end almost immediately. I mean he really believed it! Not like many today that give lip service to "The Lord is coming soon!" and then stay up all night worried about their retirement accounts. Paul believed that at any minute and sooner than later, the Lord was coming back. So why struggle with temporal things when eternal things could be addressed? It was from this world view that Paul addresses slavery.
Next Paul speaks about his generations version of the prosperity gospel. It is interesting to me that even in the first century there were some preaching that godliness was a means to riches. This heresy is still alive and well and doing damage to the Body of Christ! Paul's indictment and answer are still the touchstone for this malady in my opinion, "Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." 1 Timothy 6:3-8 NRSV.
Godliness + contentment = great gain. How is this equation working out in your life friends? I wonder if we scrambled after and longed for godliness, and rested into God's provision and found contentment there if we might find what eludes us in this world?
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
3 comments:
Sometimes the timing of these readings is so interesting. Sara and I watched an episode of "One Tree Hill" last night that related to this passage. The professor on the show had been very rich once. He had 31 million dollars and was on top of the world - but to busy trying to make more money that he didn't take the time to realize it. When he finally woke up, it was too late - he had hit a woman who was walking along the road and nearly killed her. Talk about a wake up call- just goes to show that money is temporal, and when is enough enough?
The reason you find faith and teach about Jesus is because it gives you something that can't be measured, something that isn't of this world. TRUE fulfillment, and true contentment. If we spend our whole lives trying to get more, we will just keep on being disappointed, because getting more makes you want even more. With Jesus in your heart, you're never alone, and you are content - that is, if you're doing it right. I know we aren't always "doing it right..."
Yeah, I'm a volunteer Young Life Leader because they often get us a gift card at Christmas for some gas. Yeah right...
Go forth, and be awesome!
-Tim.
Thanks, Bill.
Marshall
Well said brother!
Thanks again for journeying along with me here - it makes it more fun to stay in the game myself knowing people are out there!
Bill
I love Paul's closing verse about knowledge and faith ;)
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