Tag: 1st Timothy 6:6-12
Godliness and contentment!
Scripture reading for July 4th: 1st Kings 10-11, 2nd Chronicles 9, 1st Timothy 6
1st Timothy 6: 6-12 “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life, . . “
Paul encouraged Timothy to avoid the lure of money and riches as a means of finding meaning in life. This trap is an old one and is chronicled for us in the life of Solomon, whose riches brought him nothing but “vanity” or emptiness. It also turned his attention away from God, along with his many wives and concubines that his riches enabled him to have. True men and women of God will flee from this temptation, the ‘love of money’, and pursue by faith the kingdom of God. It is a ‘good fight’ because it yields eternal riches in God’s presence when Jesus Christ is revealed. We must keep our eyes on the true prize and not get distracted by the shiny objects!
1st Timothy 6:14-16 “. .to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will display at the proper time–He Who is the Blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I long to see You and to receive my full inheritance! Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Who empowers me to live in godliness and with contentment for the abundance I have been given here on earth. Keep me from ever being distracted by the love of money. May I always be in pursuit of Your righteousness which is by faith through grace. To You be honor and eternal dominion forever and ever!
1st Kings 11:6-8 “So Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.”
The Good ‘Fight’!
Scripture reading for September 30th: 1st Timothy 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Timothy 6:6-12 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of 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. But you, man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.”
Paul knew that there were false teachers in the church at Ephesus where Timothy was pastor. These false teachers stirred up strife through controversies and quarrels and brought friction into the church. They were preaching false doctrine with an underlying love of money and desire to get rich off God’s people! They brought the spirit of Satan and the world into Christ’s church and drew away disciples with their sensual teaching. Paul warned Timothy to flee from this worldly and demonic spirit and pursue righteousness and godliness. He was to fight a good fight of faith!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers flee the traps of Satan and the flesh and pursue God with vibrant faith! The best defense is a great offense! “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Fortress, I will never be shaken.” (Psalm 62:1-2)