These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there’s an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.
But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.
But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.
I’m charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn’t give an inch: Keep this command to the letter, and don’t slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. He’ll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. He’s the only one death can’t touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He’s never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can’t take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes.
Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.
And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith.
Overwhelming grace keep you! 1 Timothy 6:2-21 MSG
Is it hard for you to take time to read scripture and ponder it? What value do you think it has? How important is your spiritual life which should be directing your entire day, actions and thought? Is your schedule so important that you don’t take time to search for His instructions and question the Holy Spirit as to what you should be doing? Has sin shackled you so tightly that you can’t even ponder the things of God for the conviction you know is there but are ignoring?
Do you sit at the ‘His feet’ to listen to Him? How important is that? I’m not talking about the Sunday morning sermon – I’m talking about the intimate time spent ONLY with Him. Is that part of your daily practice and discipline?
Scripture makes so many things PLAIN. It is NOT hard to understand IF you are indwelled by the Spirit of God. If you have an ‘open’ line of communication with the Spirit of God and you dialogue with Him throughout your day – the Holy Spirit will be bringing scripture to your mind to be pondered and considered.
As evil is now so prevalent in our days – don’t you find it necessary to be in constant communication with Him? Where else are you trying to find answers to your issues and the surrounding issues of the day? Is anything ‘better’ than His information to you? Or are you always listening to the ‘latest news’ on the radio, TV, phone, computer. Now we are inundated with the ‘breaking news’ from every side.
Also, the prevalence of religious false teachers and false prophets has exponentially increased. How are you able to discern who is telling the truth and who is not? Do you just believe people because of your feelings, or their title of pastor or doctor, or because of their celebrity?
Now is the time to go into your ‘closet’ and actually learn how to listen to His Voice. Seek HIM first! Go to Him for the things you are to be doing THIS day. Listen to His agenda, and be quick to obey.
Eternally what will really last and be valuable? Does that truth question ever enter your mind? How much time and money do you spend on things that will be worth nothing eternally?