But godliness with contentment is a significant gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
What is the balance of contentment and wanting more? Read 1 Timothy 6
Isaiah said some people are like greedy dogs. Read Isaiah 56:11, Luke 12:15, Hebrews 13:5. We need to be content with what we have and what we honestly earn to have those things. Paul warns that the desire for riches is a temptation and a trap – an invitation to ruin and destruction. Paul warns us that we cannot serve God and money – we must choose one or the other. The love of money is the root of many evils, such as lying, stealing, murder, greed, and covetousness. Contentment is the poor man’s riches, but greed is the rich man’s poverty.
There are two types of people: those who run from evil and those whom sin conquered. Evil conquered those who do not turn away from it, sooner or later. A man of God runs from what is wrong and runs towards what is right. Paul wants Timothy to have his back to evil and his eyes towards God. When we stay focused on God, that is when we will see victory. We must practice rejecting what God hates and embracing what he loves. Our generation of believers is not running from evil. Believers are tolerating what is evil in God’s sight. Or they start to think and believe that they are immune to this and want to fall trap in the ways of evil. Thinking this way is dangerous.
Be an example for others to follow, for many are watching you! We need to be the type of person that we want others to be. This is godly leadership. God is sovereign. He is sovereign over everyone – even gods, goddesses, and false teachers.
The rich should use their wealth wisely. Paul wants Timothy to warn the rich against pride and false hope. Read Proverbs 23: 4-5. Wealth is like the morning mist. It can evaporate in a moment. Fire can destroy wealth. Thieves can steal our money. Economics can crash. Businesses fail. Money can be here today but gone tomorrow. Our hope in God is built on the solid rock of certainty.
Paul commands Timothy to guard the gospel and the sheep God has entrusted to him. It goes to us; we also need to protect the gospel and those with whom God has entrusted us.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your sovereignty. I pray that we will be above reproach in our daily life. I pray that we will turn from all evil and focus on you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
