1 Timothy 6:3-19 – “3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People 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. 10For 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. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17Command 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. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
What Biblical lifestyle demonstrates someone is living with the promise of Jesus’ second coming? Peter addresses activities and attitudes. Jude addresses anticipation. The Apostle Paul gives admonishments.
Peter was concern about individuals who “are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.” (2 Peter 2:13) He instructs the church to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.” (2 Peter 3:14)
Jude was concern with certain men who “are blemishes at your love feasts.” (Jude 1:12) He instructs the church to be “without fault and with great joy.” (Jude 1:24)
Paul instructs the church about a dimension of life that helps believers to be “without spot and blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Timothy 6:14)
Certain words should cause you to slow down and meditate. The word “therefore” is designed to make you think about the phrase that follows. When you come upon a “therefore,” ask yourself, “What is it there for?”
Another word that causes special attention is “until.” Two questions come to mind: Will the issue intensify “until?” Will proper conduct be more difficult to fulfill as the “until” draws closer?
What was troubling Paul? What would lead to “stains and reproaches” within the community of believers? In one word: finances!
Wealthy people are not the only ones having problems with their approach to finances. People with little means often have bigger problems. Paul addresses two groups: “people who want to be rich” (V.9) and “those who are rich.” (V.17) Money is a universal issue, impacting everyone. Money can cause anyone to end-up misdirected. The problem of financial management will intensify as the hour of His return approaches.
Three areas can potentially misdirect the people of God.
Misdirected contentment
“…Men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (Vs. 5-8)
The term “corrupt mind” speaks of individuals incapable of moral judgment. Some people were using religion for profit. They reasoned, “Why not gain financially by being religious?” A morbid obsession with money causes a misguided approach to contentment.
Contentment deals with satisfaction and includes such things as “sufficiency; having all that could be desired; full measure.” People, within the church, concluded only money makes this possible.
Someone wrote, “Money will buy a bed but not sleep; books but not brains; finery but not beauty; a house but not a home; medicine but not health; luxuries but not culture; amusements but not happiness; religion but not salvation.”
Possessions are external; contentment is internal. Money is material; godliness is spiritual. “Godliness with contentment,” the spiritual and internal, go with you when you depart this life, everything else is left behind.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gave His followers clear guidelines for a satisfying life. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money…. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 24, 33)
Young couples just starting out together should financially pace themselves. You have a lifetime to acquire things. There are seasons of life. To purchase everything in one season is emotionally unstabling and highly stressful.
A popular notion of progress is piling one thing on top of another, without caring if it is crushing. Excessive debt is crushing. Possessions are enjoyed the most when there is time to anticipate and be thankful. By crowding things together they lose the element of excitement, and expectancy is the secret of joy. Things never have the power to bring happiness.
Give your attention to things that are permanent. One of the more permanent things available in this lifetime is genuine relationships with people. Deeply develop your connection with your spouse, your family and others. Relationships transcend time.
You cannot take any material possession out of this world. The song writer Lowell Lundstrom truthfully sang you will never see a hearse with a U-Haul trailer. The pursuit of money is a misdirected approach to contentment.
Misdirected love
“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. 10For 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. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (Vs. 9-12)
These verses are not addressed to the rich but to those who want to be rich. The language vividly describes the destiny of the greedy. Verse 10 is often misquoted. It does not say, “Money is the root of all evil,” rather, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” If money was the root then only the rich would have the problem, yet average, ordinary people greatly struggle with the love of money.
The result of greed is disillusionment. Lovers of money are in the grip of an unrelenting deception and cause self-inflicted wounds, leading to immense sorrow. Passion for money leads to anxiety. The more people have, the more they can potentially lose and the risk of loss is haunting. Infatuation with money makes a person selfish. Money-lovers seek to posture others in a losing position so they can gain more. Everyone becomes an obstacle on the faulty pathway to riches.
Earlier in the series attention was given to the practice of prayer being an act of faith. Paul, however, emphasizes the battle with greed is a fight of faith. In fighting “the good fight of faith” a person’s love becomes God, a person’s actions are godliness, and a person’s focus is on what they have, not what they do not have. Possessions, or the lack of them, no longer define them but their relationship with God does.
The frightening fact is that anything money touches can corrupt, including you. Money is extremely dangerous. You should run scared and fear the deceptiveness of money. You constantly need to check and recheck what money is doing to you. Have a periodic money check-up. Learn how to say no to needless purchases. If you do not realize the damage money can cause, you may find yourself destroyed by it. A passion for money is a misdirected approach to love.
Misdirected riches
“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. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (Vs. 17-19)
Rich is sometimes described as being “affluent,” having the ability to lavishly spend. Rich is sometimes defined as being “opulent,” to live luxuriously. Rich can also be described as “well-to-do,” easy living. People who can spend lavishly, live luxuriously, and live easy may not be rich. They may be arrogant and egotistical. Conceited people are far from rich.
People closely associated to the Lord are rich. The Bible indicates He owns the “cattle on a thousand hills,” a sizable financial portfolio. Jesus’ official title is “King of kings and Lord of lords,” an impressive heading.
American Family Publishers sent its computer-generated entry form to "God of Bushnell," at the Bushnell Assembly of God, in central Florida. The advertisement went on to say, "God, we're searching for you. You've been positively identified as our $11 million mystery millionaire." The fine print showed the Creator was merely a finalist, but the letter encouraged him to try his luck. It went on to say, "Imagine the looks you'd get from your neighbors ... but don't just sit there, God, come forward now and claim your prize." The church's pastor told the Tampa Tribune he had not yet decided whether the church would enter the sweepstakes. "God already has $11 million," he said, “and a whole lot more.”
Coming to Jesus makes someone genuinely rich. Those focused on the world’s “uncertain riches” simply perceive themselves wealthy. People must choose between the road of selfish accumulation and the road of spiritual acquisition. The latter road leads to abundance.
How can those with financial means keep themselves from a distorted outlook? Faith in God does not omit wealthy people. Money does not exclude people from the grace of God. Paul invites them to take on the attribute of goodness and generosity. The charge to the wealthy follower of Jesus involves three demands: A greater sensitivity to the needs of others, doing well toward others, and being willing to give generously. The danger of riches is that they blind the owner of the realities of life.
A wonderful reward is in store for those who use their riches to help others. On the one hand, attempting to buy a way into heaven is a waste of effort; on the other hand, using wealth to address the needs of others gives testimony of a deep-seated love for God. A misuse of wealth is a misdirected approach to riches.
As His return approaches
The closer we come to the hour of His appearing the more misdirected people will become. The instruction about finances is to fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternity.
God has set Eternity in your heart and this infinite capacity cannot be filled or satisfied with the things of this age. A very large part of mankind's ills and the world's misery is due to the rampant practice of trying to feed the personal soul with physical sustenance.
Timothy Dwight said, “Men are merely taller children. Honor, wealth, and splendor are the toys for which grown children pine; but which, however accumulated, leave them still disappointed and unhappy. God never designed that intelligent beings should be satisfied with these things. By His wisdom and goodness people were formed to derive their happiness and virtue from Him alone.”
Only godliness is the true means of great gain.
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