1 Timothy 6:1–21 (NKJV)
1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
The words of Jesus are sound and healthy words. For those who believe them, they convert the soul from sin, make us wise for salvation, rejoice the heart with forgiveness, and enlighten our eyes by showing us the path of righteousness. Not all believe Jesus’ words, though. Rejecting Jesus’ clear words, they would rather dispute over words to excuse their sinful behavior and present themselves as more intelligent and righteous than others. They treat godliness as a means of gain, not of money but of reputation and prestige. From such men Timothy is to withdraw himself.
There are also those who desire to be rich. Their hearts are ensnared in the temptation of discontent. Thinking little of what God has given them already they are led by their lust for money, the phantasm of worldly security, or a certain lifestyle that God hasn’t given them. Following those lusts only pierces their hearts with anxieties and eventually leads to destruction. Prestige and honor, money and riches are fleeting. Even worse, they ensnare the conscience.
“But you, O man of God, flee these things.” Flee those who want to dispute about words to increase their own authority and honor. Flee from the love of money. Timothy is to run from these things. What is he to run to? Paul writes, “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” We flee from temptations and sin by running the course of God’s commandments. We pursue righteousness of heart, godliness in our thoughts, increased faith toward God, and love, patience, and gentleness toward others. We pursue these because by the Gospel God has forgiven our sins and declared us perfectly righteous in His sight—not of ourselves, but by faith in Christ.
Against the temptation to engage in empty disputes, we confess the wholesome, life-giving words of Jesus. Against the temptation to be discontent, we live content with what God gives today and enjoy it, working to be rich in good works instead.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help us flee from things that are hurtful to us and pursue contentment and godliness. Amen.
