SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 6
MEMORY VERSES:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (1 Timothy 6:6-7)
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
“Command those who are rich in this present world to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18)
GUIDELINES FOR SLAVES AND MASTERS (vs. 1-2)
Slaves should consider their master worthy of full respect so that God’s name and our teachings may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.
LOVE OF MONEY (vs. 3-10)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out for it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
PAUL’S CHARGE TO TIMOTHY (vs. 11-21)
- Flee from love of money and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (v. 11)
- Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. (v. 12)
- 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. (v. 17)
- Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (v. 18)
- Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which cause some to wander from the faith. (v. 20)
THOUGHTS:
Paul gave guidelines for Christians slaves and Christian masters. His counsel for the master/slave relationship can be applied to the employer/employee relationship today. Employees should work hard, showing respect for their employers. In turn, employers should be fair and kind.
We should be able to distinguish between needs and wants. Money itself is not evil. In fact, it is necessary for our existence. Paul said that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It lures us to want more and more, causing us to commit sins. So he taught us to be content with what we have in satisfying our needs. Craving for more money can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction.
PAUL GAVE GUIDELINES FO KEEP US AWAY FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY:
- Realize that one day riches will all be gone.
- Be content with what you have.
- Love people more than money.
- Love God’s work more than money.
- Share what you have with others.
We have to distinguish between needs and wants. We may have all we need to live but still discontented over what we want. And the root cause of wanting more is greed. So get rid of the desire to be rich.
PAUL USED THE FOLLOWING ACTIVE VERBS IN GUIDING TIMOTHY:
- Flee from evil.
- Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
- Fight the good fight of faith.
- Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
- Keep this command without spot or blame until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth.
- Put hope in God.
- Do good works.
- Guard what has been entrusted to your care.
- Turn away from godless chatter.