God Speaks
Christian slaves should work hard for their owners and respect them; never let it be said that Christ’s people are poor workers. Don’t let the name of God or his teaching be laughed at because of this.
2 If their owner is a Christian, that is no excuse for slowing down; rather they should work all the harder because a brother in the faith is being helped by their efforts.
Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage all to obey them.
3 Some may deny these things, but they are the sound, wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ and are the foundation for a godly life. 4 Anyone who says anything different is both proud and stupid. He is quibbling over the meaning of Christ’s words and stirring up arguments ending in jealousy and anger, which only lead to name-calling, accusations, and evil suspicions. 5 These arguers—their minds warped by sin—don’t know how to tell the truth; to them the Good News is just a means of making money. Keep away from them.
6 Do you want to be truly rich? You already are if you are happy and good. 7 After all, we didn’t bring any money with us when we came into the world, and we can’t carry away a single penny when we die. 8 So we should be well satisfied without money if we have enough food and clothing. 9 But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil-minded and finally send them to hell itself. 10 For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it, and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows.
11 O Timothy, you are God’s man. Run from all these evil things, and work instead at what is right and good, learning to trust him and love others and to be patient and gentle. 12 Fight on for God. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you and that you have confessed with such a ringing confession before many witnesses.
13 I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a fearless testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you fulfill all he has told you to do so that no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 15 For in due season Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone can never die, who lives in light so terrible that no human being can approach him. No mere man has ever seen him nor ever will. Unto him be honor and everlasting power and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
17 Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. 19 By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well.
20 Oh, Timothy, don’t fail to do these things that God entrusted to you. Keep out of foolish arguments with those who boast of their “knowledge” and thus prove their lack of it. 21 Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life—they don’t know God. May God’s mercy be upon you.
Sincerely, Paul
Source: The Living Bible: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: This concluding section of the letter shines the light of truth on three groups or persons: 1) those who are poor in this world’s goods or money but rich toward God (Timothy for example); 2) those who are rich in this world’s goods or money but have turned away from God; and 3) the Mighty LORD God Himself and Jesus Christ His son. The first group is addressed verses 1-3, 6-8, 11-12, 14, 17-19. The second group, those who oppose Christ’s teaching and make money their focus, is examined in verses 4-5, 9-10, 20-21. God in all His glory is extolled in verses 13, 15-16. Readers of this blog are encouraged to explore this chapter on their own in their favorite version or translation.
Prayer: Dear Lord God who is sovereign over all, thank You that You are the One who is ultimately in control over slaves (workers) and masters (employers), rich and poor, male and female. You always rule out of Your everlasting lovingkindness. You are the One who gives the Christian worker the patient endurance to respond well to an employer whether they are a cruel heathen or a kind and forgiving believer. You are the One who can change the heart of the former to treat their employees graciously. You are the One who can enable people to turn away from pride, quibbling, jealousy, name calling, lying, promoting evil suspicions, and conspiracies. Help people (especially those who belong to You) to seek true riches by loving You and truly helping other people. Help us to look to You as our source of security, not to money, fame, or power. Help us to work for what is right and good, learning to trust You and love others, to be patient, kind, and gentle. Please help us to follow Christ’s example of fearlessly standing up for the truth. May those who are rich in this world use their money to do good, giving happily to those in need because You give us all we need for our enjoyment. Let us be content with whatever You give us. “For in due season Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [You] alone can never die, [You live] in light so terrible that no human being can approach [You]. No mere man has ever seen [You], nor ever will. Unto [You] be honor and everlasting power and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (The Living Bible 1 Timothy 6:15-16) AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will strive to do my very best to please God and my employer. (Think of one specific way this week, then do it.)
- I will thank God and other people for the things they do for me.
- I will look for ways of using my money to bless people and build up the Kingdom of God, then do them.
- I will take at least ten minutes today to read aloud and ponder 1 Timothy 6:15-16. (See it quoted above.)
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.