January 6, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Timothy 6 (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 should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.……Continue Reading
1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6; 2 Chronicles 2-8
Paul is instructing how servants or slaves should treat their masters. They were to treat this masters with honor especially fellow believers. How would we apply this to ourselves today. The servants or slaves would be lay workers and the masters would be our bosses or the owner of our company. So it does speak to us today. The point here was not that our bosses are better than we are but they have that position and therefore we should honor them. The same would apply to our leadership in Living Hope. The greater point would be that the cause of Christ wouldn`t be hindered. Then Paul addresses those that have wealth in the church and what should be their character. For the love of money will corrupt one`s soul making them bankrupt spiritually. Better to be content with little than to have much and be discontented. Rather we should have our eyes focused on the One who gave His life for us. We are to fight the good fight together. May God bless us all as a body in Christ. May we be willing to give to those in need especially to those in our own body in Christ. We don`t have much money but Mel and myself can offer free fire wood to anyone who wants it. Just come to our property and cut it up and take it away. IT IS FREE. There are other things like books that we would give away. Mostly Christian books. Perhaps other things for free. Just let us know. Also if you are coming by please let us know although we are usually here. We can`t give money but we can give what we can to those who need it. It doesn`t have to be someone in our church but perhaps someone that you know that needs help. God bless .
That is very kind, Dennis.
1 Timothy 6
”Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all.“
1 Timothy 6:20-21 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.6.20-21.NIV
How often are we drawn into this—mindless chatter. May all of our words be filled with grace and love.
Yes, godliness with contentment is great gain. If we achieve this state of being, we can effectively give love and support to the people who need it. To be focused on the pursuit of money is to be preoccupied with things that have no real importance because it has no eternal value. Rather, focus on those things that really matter, like establishing loving relationships, serving others, and caring for people, so that we live our lives in a manner that is fruitful and meaningful. And this is what produces godliness with contentment.
6 Now 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 clothing, with these we shall be content.
1 Timothy 6
Hard work should be the mark of every believer and just think what would happen to the reputation of Christ if christians were so much better in diligence and integrity that people just had to seek them out to be their employees. And as much as we would work hard and have the financial benefits that come with it, it is important never to get too connected to money and get tripped up in greed and materialism. Our focus should be on godliness and pursue that and then be content with whatever earthly returns that come from it. It is sad to see all those who teach wrong doctrine and use the things of God for financial gain. We need to make sure we are pursuing the things of God and fight the good fight of the faith, holding to the truth ourselves and submitting to the transformation that it brings in what we say and what we do, and then declaring and defending the truth to those around us. We have been entrusted with a lot in all that God enables and provides. As the world gets more and more deceived, let’s be more committed to be faithful to what God has given us to help us minister to others.
What we have we have because God has blessed us with it. We should be good stewards of what He has given us and use it to bring glory to God, to advance His kingdom, and to be an extension of Him here on earth.
When we fall into the trap of thinking our stuff is ours because we earned it and when our goal is simply more and more stuff it becomes our idol and takes our focus off God. we need to work hard and provide for ourselves and our family but we should always remember where our eternal treasure will be. Life here on earth is fleating…like they say “you can’t take it with you” so why does it really matter all that much to us anyway when the goal is eternity with Him!