DEFENDING THE FAITH OR BEING A PESTILENTIAL NUISANCE?
1 Timothy 6:2-10 False Teaching and True Riches
Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
“I believe in defending my faith!!!” We had completed a church service and were about to enter the fellowship hall for a potluck dinner. But this fellow had a bone to pick and needed an audience. As I stood there, unable to escape, I was treated to a scathing analysis of that day’s sermon, along with enough additional comments to have made an hour-long power point presentation. And the defense for this outpouring of verbal diarrhea? “Oh, I’m an apologist!” All I could think of at that point was “An apologist for what? You should apologize for wasting my time!”
I had been uplifted and inspired by the sermon that day. Sure, there were some points that might have been handled differently, but I had gained a great deal and was grateful. Evidently, the same kinds of individuals also flourished in Paul and Timothy’s day, for Paul is warning Timothy not to get caught up in senseless arguments.
3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. Preachers have it tough, for even when they are delivering the messages God has given them as faithfully as possible, there will always be nay-sayers who choose to quibble. We should listen to preachers and teachers to learn something new about the Lord; yet, that’s the last thing many of these people actually want to do. Self-appointed critics are far more interested in their own opinions than in opening their hearts so that God can change them.
Years ago, there was a popular song entitled “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” The final line of the chorus ran “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, but I’m doing the best that I can!” Another saying that was popular about the same time ran “My mind’s made up; don’t confuse me with the facts.” Many people listen not to learn but to criticize, having entered with their pre-conceived notions set in cement.
One problem is that we are bombarded with so much garbage that we fail to recognize wholesome teachings when we encounter them. Generally, wholesome teachings are simple and to the point, sticking closely to Biblical truths.
What about those who use a show of godliness to gain wealth? One car repair shop in Charleston, SC, advertised itself as being run by Christians; however, the work was done poorly and the management attempted to take advantage of me because I was female by billing for unnecessary work. Insurance salesmen, investment corporations-there are all kinds of ways in which individuals attempt to leverage a show of faith into a means of getting rich. All I can think of is Jesus’ remarks in Luke 13:22-27.
22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved? “He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’
Paul continues: 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
I once heard a radio interviewer questioning a very wealthy businessman from Hong Kong who claimed to be a Christian. This man was a billionaire whose name regularly appeared on the lists of the wealthiest people in the world. During the interview, the businessman claimed that he had great plans to become a philanthropist; however, he just needed a little more money before carrying out those plans. But when the interviewer asked how much, the man had no answer. Obviously, this man had focused all his energy on amassing wealth while ignoring the needs of those around him.
Mother Teresa used to tell the story about bringing rice to a very poor family in Calcutta, India. As soon as the mother in the family received the rice, she began dividing it into two portions, one of which she kept for her family and the larger portion which she immediately took to her neighbors because “They are hungry too.”
One of the major expenditures for my husband and me is supporting indigent patients in our mission hospital. Why? One day, we will all have to stand before God and give an account of how we have handled the resources God has given us. On that day, I don’t want to have to explain to Almighty God why someone died for lack of medicine or a paid blood donor because I was stingy. We view the money we handle as God’s money and frequently ask Him how He wants it used. We trust that as long as we are handling money as God directs, He will continue to support us. But the day we panic and cling to whatever little we have, we will be in terrible trouble, for those actions will stop the flow of money through us.
So, the take-home lessons for this devotional are simple: Don’t get caught up in senseless arguments. Seek wholesome teachings about God and His Son Jesus. And realize that godliness with contentment is great gain. Far better to have a little with God and to share it than to sit on a large pile of wealth, clinging to it. Treasure on earth or treasure in heaven? Choose!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help all who read these words to seek You, to know You, and to love You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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