Tag: Doctrine

Money and Sound Doctrine

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Money

What is the relationship of the man (or woman) of God to money? Do we think of our spirituality being showcased by our use of money? Even then, what does money have to do with having good Doctrine?

These are all great questions. When you look among those who have abandoned scriptural doctrine you almost always see people who have decided to go after money.

“Supposing Gain is Godliness”

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Timothy 6:3–5

These are harsh words. Necessary, but harsh.

Paul’s teaching in this letter so far has been to get Timothy ready for the hard road ahead of serving churches, and constantly knocking heads with people who either don’t know the truth or who oppose the truth. Many of those who oppose the truth will do it under the banner of “gain is godliness.” 

This idea of “gain is godliness” is everywhere. Our book stores are filled with those who teach that virtue is obvious in those who have money. Your news feeds will be full of articles about how the “25 richest people live.” Even among believers we have to be careful to not look at those who have less and think that God is punishing them.

And yet the question stands: What is the relationship of the faithful believer to money?

Godliness with Contentment

6 But 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 raiment let us be therewith content.
1 Timothy 6:6–8

We ought to pursue godliness even at the cost of other, worldly, gain, because “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

All that we have in this life is a gift, or better a stewardship, from our loving creator and redeemer. Would it be showing gratitude to horde these things? Would we honor Him by flaunting wealth? Or worse, can we please Him be merely presenting evidence of a massive bank account?

Contentment is what goes with godliness; not because money isn’t needed, or because God wants us to suffer. But because we can be godly regardless of our physical possessions.

The Love of Money

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:9–10

Two phrases should jump out: “they that will be rich” (v. 9) and “the love of money is the root of all evil” (v. 10). Paul is calling out those who are seeking to be rich and those who love money. Having money isn’t wrong. Being rich isn’t condemned in scripture. Loving money and devoting your life to collecting it are what Paul is cautioning against.

Devotion to money means that all the joy you will have in life is when you get more of it. You will serve it as master, you will be a slave to comparisons and growth projections. And miss the eternal gain of walking with God in godliness and contentment.

Working, but Not for Money

It’s fitting that this passage follows one about the believer at work. We are tempted, I think, to work for our pay check. That train of thought may lead us to keep working for an even bigger paycheck. And though we should be rewarded for our efforts at work, we may miss opportunity of our time at work to put into practice the teachings of God’s word. We may miss the reward of serving as unto the Lord.

So work, work hard, but not for money. Or at least not just for money.

Your Turn

Where might you have given yourself to seek money, or love money?

Talk about these things with God. Again, money itself isn’t wrong, but serving it makes it an idol and you won’t know the joy of serving God if you are serving idols.

Are you following teachers that hold up the banner of “gain is godliness”?

Stop it. While we may learn a few good things from these people, their end will be ugly. Don’t get swallowed up in their teaching, charisma, or shallow promises.

How are you seeking godliness?

Seeking godliness is key to having a right relationship with money and, well… anything.

In God’s word read the gospels, but this time read them through to learn the character of Jesus. See His care for others, His contentment, and obedience of The Father.

Operation Ephesus

1 Timothy 1:18-20

Operation Neptune Spear

Wartime is filled with special missions. Missions so important that great care is taken to keep them a secret. They are staffed with only the people critical to success, and each person is trained to have laser focus on the objective.

In May of 2011 the US Military undertook one such mission. This one to capture or kill one of the United States most wanted: Osama bin Laden. Codenamed: “Operation Neptune Spear” the mission included a group of highly train Navy Seals who entered the terrorists compound, cleared it, killed the mass murder, and left with valuable intelligence in under 40 minutes.

The mission Timothy was on wasn’t going to break the news cycle like Operation Neptune Spear did, but it was very important nonetheless. 

Operation Ephesus

Paul had asked Timothy to stay in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3), but this was more than a request. This was a specific charge, a mandate that would involve Timothy’s calling, skill, training and focus.

“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;” 
1 Timothy 1:18

Mission Operator: Timothy

God had told them that Timothy would take part in this Charge. I don’t know what form this prophecy took, but it’s safe to assume that God made it very clear to his church that Timothy was meant to work for Him in the proclamation of the gospel and defense of the truth.

Mission Objective: Sound Doctrine

Timothy was to ensure that the believers in this place were taught the truth (1 Tim 1:3-4). This would be no small task. Already just a few years after the gospel was first preached in this region false teaching was making its way into churches.

Mission Resources: Faith and Good Conscience

Paul knew that this would be a war, but Timothy had the resources he needed to carryout this struggle.

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 
1 Timothy 1:19

Timothy would need Faith and a Good conscience in this fight. These are the same words we discussed in 1 Tim 1:5. Paul was very concerned that Timothy keep these things as he went to battle.

Faith

This refers to the whole of what Timothy knew from scripture and from Paul’s teachings. He would need this confidence in the fight.

Paul, in writing to the church at Ephesus called faith a shield that would “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16) This Faith is the main line of defense against the doubt that evil forces hurl at believers. Timothy would need this confidence just as much as the people in his church. 

Good Conscience

In the defense of the truth I fear that some abandon their own conscience. We can get a christian version of “the ends justify the means” and leave behind the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a vain attempt to advance the cause. This is a sure way to lose your way. 

Mission History

Others had failed this charge because they lacked faith.

“Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” 
1 Timothy 1:20

While we don’t know a lot about these men, they are used as negative examples. They abandoned God, put aside faith and good conscience leaving Paul no choice but to bar them from Christian fellowship.

Learn from examples like this, view the wreckage of their lives and ministries as a warning about a way to avoid. Preach the word, with your words and with your choices.

Your Turn

Operation Ephesus lives on wherever you are when you read this. The Gospel still needs to be proclaimed boldly, the truth is still the only place to stand. Like Timothy you will need the resources of faith and a good conscience. Many have fallen in this struggle as they give in to false doctrine and reject God.

Will you stand in this war?