6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should CONSIDER THEIR MASTERS WORTHY OF FULL RESPECT, SO THAT GOD’S NAME AND OUR TEACHING MAY NOT BE SLANDERED. 1 Timothy 6
The way we live our lives before people reflects on our Christian Faith/Beliefs and even how they think of our God. Many times ‘actions (conduct) do speak louder than words’.
Paul also says we should serve believing masters to even higher standards, ‘because those who benefit from our service are believers and dear to us’. Sometimes we see believing bosses differently in workplace, but Paul says clearly we should honour and respect them more.
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. 1 Timothy 6
Paul goes on to say that false teaching is worthless and conceited. Such teachers release, ‘all kinds of controversies, quarrels, envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant frictions between people of corrupt minds’. (What a horrible list of bad influences into any church!)
… who have been robbed of the truth AND (That’s a Big And) who think that GODLINESS IS A MEANS TO FINANCIAL GAIN. 1 Timothy 6:5
The Bible and Paul in particular, has much to say about the Love of money.
6 BUT GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
WE BROUGHT NOTHING IN AND WE’LL TAKE NOTHING OUT.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into (1)temptation and a trap and into many (2)foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into (3)ruin and destruction. 10 For the LOVE OF MONEY is a root of all kinds of evil.
Paul lists three very negative couplets for people whose main desire is to get rich, particularly those who USE the Gospel to get rich. Taking something Holy for personal gain.
I do believe God gives some believers great wealth, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, David and of course Solomon were all blessed greatly by God. However, when the DESIRE FOR MONEY BECOMES GREATER than for God, then we’re stepping over into the love of this fallen world.
10 FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY (A Heart issue) 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 warned Timothy and succeeding generations of the Church, not to allow our hearts to be drawn away from the Love of the Lord who made such a great sacrifice for us.
May the Lord abundant blessings be upon your life today.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6