Daily Reading March 5 2010 from 1 Timothy 6:1-10 NIV

Day 54

1 Timothy 6:1-10 NIV
1 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. 2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.9 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. 10 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.

Work Relations -
This title might seem like a stretch when Paul is actually speaking about slaves and owners but it is worth mentioning that the advice given here would be very appropriate for employees and managers. Slaves/workers respect your master/boss! Show the respect your superior deserves and remember you are working for the Lord regardless of your job. When we, as employees, demonstrate a good work ethic we glorify God. On the other side of this issue supervisors should treat employees with respect and compassion again showing the goodness of God with their actions. I have worked with both kinds of "Christian" the one who gave all they had understanding who they were working for and the complaining poor witness that hurt the cause of Christ. Matters like this one today and several Paul has addressed here in the book of 1 Timothy has Paul stepping on some toes.

False Doctrines -
The Apostle Paul did not pull any punches and I wonder if his methods would be received by today's church. Paul's greatest concern was obviously pleasing God and not pleasing men. Paul demonstrates this care for God's direction and word in verse 3 "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing. As you know this isn't the first mention we have seen of false teachings. Obviously there was a great issue with individuals trying to corrupt the gospel that Paul had presented so effectively. It's almost as though Paul was followed by those trying to cause dissension. The Apostle here speaks very harshly of these false teachers who claim to be followers of God, he says they are conceited and have no true understanding. They quarrel, are full of envy, cause strife, use corrupt speech, they are suspicious, and they use their religious practices as a means of financial gain. The Apostle Paul doesn't dispute the right of these and other ministers to make a living from their ministry he is disputing their use of God's name to make themselves rich. They love money and things more than they love God and they pollute the truth with their greed. He concludes this section with "some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith". This message is not just for ministers, preachers and teachers but for all believers. Money isn't the only thing that should be mentioned in this list because many things can come between us and God. Paul is reminded Timothy and other believers to keep our focus on Christ and the truth of the Word of God.

Conclusion -
I pray you have been enjoying each of these teachings and devotional writings. Some times we get caught up in a very short list of biblical items but this book shows the diversity of God's Word and demonstrates that there are answers in the Word for every matter we deal with. God's Word was and is meant to be used as a guide. This Word never gets out of date though it was written so long ago. This living Word still teaches, changes, and transforms just as it did two thousand years ago. As we read God's Word today and do so prayerfully it speaks to every area of our life. I have always been amazed as to how the Holy Spirit can take one passage or one sermon and say so many different things to so many different people. We can usually find something that changes us in any sermon we here if we are attentive to the Spirit and are seeking to be more like Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry