Paul was familiar with the spiritual battles that happen all around us. He had been engaged in many himself. There was a battle in Ephesus and Timothy was like Paul's sergeant in the trenches. Paul saw this man at the front was battle weary and tired. This letter was like a message to the front from the general on behalf of the commander in chief. Paul often took on the sound of a military leader when he uses the phrases:
- Fight the good fight
- He charged Timothy
- He charged those that are rich
- He warned him to keep guard.
We see all these military phrases in this chapter.
In chapter 3 Paul said he wrote these things so that Timothy may know how he ought to conduct himself in the house of God. Paul repeatedly returned to the foundational things: doctrine, truth, reading the word, exhortation and prayer. Timothy had to guard himself in these things before he could guard the fellowship and encourage them along the same path. He established boundaries, or conduct, and coached Timothy in dealing with different people groups within the church. Paul continued in this vein as we move into chapter 6 when he started out by dealing with bondservants.
Paul's message to the frontlines continues.
1 Timothy 6:1-2
There were millions of slaves in the Roman Empire. Slavery was very different then from what we think about. It was rarely motivated by race. Sometimes people sold themselves into slavery as a means of survival. That ownership was then sometimes bought and sold. It's very likely that the number of both slaves and masters of slaves within the body of believers in Ephesus was very significant. This required some special attention because the freedom in Christ would cause the slave and the master both to re-examine their situation. They would say, I'm free in Christ, now how does this change my life situation?
Some slaves were very well taken care of and held positions of influence and prestige. Some had it very good. While other slaves were treated very poorly, expecting to work at hard labor for long hours with very minimal food and water. Paul said, the bondservant that is under the yoke was to count his master worthy. He is to show honor and respect. And you know that many slaves could make a case that their master wasn't worthy of respect. But Paul commanded it, not to glorify the slave master but to glorify Jesus. As a Christian slave, because they were now bondslaves of Christ, they were to serve like no other slave. It was to be apparent in their lives that they were Christian. They were to be their best, do their best in all ways so to give God glory.
Now, if a slave had a master that was a believer, the slave might make the case that we are all one in Christ. They might say, my master and I are brothers in Christ. He is no better than me. But, that slave was still in a position in life that called for him to submit to his master. Paul said they weren't to despise their master. They were to serve him joyfully because both benefited and the benefits were shared among believers; both slave and masters.
This was the work culture of that day. Ours is much different but these principles still apply. The Christian that has a bad reputation or poor work ethic in the workplace reflected poorly on the name of the Lord. If an employee, as a believer thinks he doesn't have to work because his boss is a believer. He brings harm to the Lord, to themself and the boss. If an employee, as a believer thinks that as a Christian, the unbelieving boss doesn't have the right to ask them to work or that they don't need to work hard for them, once again they bring harm to the name of the Lord.
When we work, we should operate in the highest work ethic. Regardless of our situation we are to remain above reproach so that no accusation can be made against us. Paul said, teach and exhort these things. Work ethic doesn't come natural. It must be taught and it should be taught young. A person with a good work ethic won't go hungry. Hard and honest work provides.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
There have always been and will always be people teaching other doctrines. There have always been and will always be those that don't accept the words of Christ. There have always been and will always be beliefs that don't line up with godliness. Paul said that it is pride and greed that motivates these teachers, not the love of Christ. They taught what they taught for their own purpose or gain. Even today many teach for their own pride and purpose.
The false teacher acted as if they knew doctrine and they made sure they told everyone else what they know. Anyone who didn't agree was worked over with endless disputes and arguments. These men thrived and survived by their obsession with disputes and argument; nitpicking and splitting hairs. It was academic quibbling over words when the summation with what they taught wasn't sound. Their purpose wasn't seeking truth, it was seeking their own way. Instead of building up they are the ones that are constantly tearing down.
Paul said these people know nothing. The fruit of their lack of doctrine and wisdom and truth was that they were the catalyst for all kinds of problems. They were a useless wrangling of men with corrupt minds. They were without truth and they thought their twisting of scripture would bring them godliness and that godliness was a means of gain to bring them the desires of their own corrupt flesh. Paul was clear with Timothy, he needed to be withdrawn from these men. Paul established a godly conduct and the boundaries that the church should operate in and how people should be dealt with. He then acknowledged that there are some people who shouldn't be dealt with.
Timothy was in a battle. And the enemy had infiltrated his camp. There was no way this church in Ephesus could stand their ground in a culture ruled by Satan if their own conduct and authority structure was in a shambles. They had to be united under Christ, conducting them self in an obedient way; operating within the established boundaries. If the fellowship was altogether seeking after the Lord and was actively being grounded in the gospel and the doctrines of truth, there was no dispute among them that couldn't be worked out. But if someone was seeking their own way, to feed their own pride and power, or to extend their own authority by using the scriptures to their advantage, if they were just working to have their way, Paul said he needed to stay away from them, to withdraw and not associate with these people.
These were men who thought godliness brought financial gain. This kind of teaching is an indication of a false teacher. For you and I, we might have a picture of a TV preacher in your mind. But don't think that there are just a hand full of these guys that are on TV. There are many more.
1 Timothy 6:6-10
The false teachers were using godliness for financial gain. Paul's answer is, great gain came from godliness with contentment. We don't pursue godliness to get the goodies God offers. These false teachers were teaching another gospel. A false gospel is without hope. There is nothing in it to bring contentment to the soul.
The false gospel has to offer false rewards to make it appealing, but in the end, the false gospel and its rewards do nothing for the soul. The real gospel message is a message of amazing grace. By it we receive forgiveness, life and are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are being transformed. Our minds are being renewed. When we receive the real gospel we can't help but to respond to it. That response is trust. It's yielding our entire life to Him. It's finding contentment, not in what I am, but in what I am in Christ.
If you want gain, you don't chase after money. If you want the good stuff, you pursue godliness and contentment on whatever path the Lord has put you on. You yield your entire life, your entire will over to Him and trust in His ability to use your life, health, finances and resources better than you. Do you trust Him? Are you thankful in all things? Do you long for things eternal or something to put in your pocket?
By the standard of many parts of the world every one of us is rich beyond measure. Yet, none of us think of ourselves as rich. It's our sinful nature to want more; to chase after more. When we desire to be rich we fall into a trap. The trap is that you will never have enough. There is no amount of money that can give you lasting joy. When you lust after the riches there is no amount of riches that will fulfill you. And soon, you find that you have no boundaries and there is nothing you won't do to make another buck.
Paul said people like this fall to foolish and harmful lusts and they drown in destruction and perdition. The desire for money leads to the desire to be rolling in it. Since there is no end to that desire, in the end it rules your life.
Isn't it fascinating that the love of money is tied directly to false doctrine, bad teaching and wrong beliefs? Eventually the greediness will draw a person away from the faith. We often associate greediness with the rich but greed can be born out of poverty as well as riches. The love and obsessive desire for money will replace any love they may have had for the Lord. These people have brought on themselves many sorrows that will cause them great pain and they will suffer great loss. Greed will cause you to believe that money will bring happiness, when in fact it brings just the opposite.
I read an interesting quote this week regarding giving your tithe. When you give your tithe you give away 10% of that which can become the biggest problem in your life. The more you give away, the less likely that you are in love with it.
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Timothy wasn't to flirt with the false teachers and0 don't entertain them. There was to be a simultaneous fleeing and pursuing. He was to run from those that are using the bible and scripture as a means to promote riches and wealth as well as run from greed and the love of money. These things are harmful and will mess you up.
Running towards money is running to envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, and the useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of truth. This promotes idolatry, trusting in wealth instead of the Lord. Greed is running into a battle you can't win. There is nothing shameful or wrong in running from this. The man of God will run in pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. This is the battle we are engaged in.
Paul told Timothy earlier to fight the good fight. And he spent much of the letter describing what the good fight was and why it was important. The good fight was the forward path in the adventure God placed before him. This good fight was a spiritual conflict. It was engaging the forces of Satan and it was a very real battle. The good fight was taking a stand, laying hold of eternal things. The world would not understand that. When you fight the good fight you will be viewed as wacko by many. But entering this battle sets the things of God in their proper priority.
Nowhere did Paul soft sell this. This 'fight the good fight' is a military term that Paul used. The word is agon, our word agonize comes from this word. In our lives the good fight is decision to follow Him. It's to enter in to a battle against sin, the ways of the world, against Satan and instead chase after the Lord. This battle is fought with all you have. It's bringing all you have and leaving all else behind. And we are successful in that battle when we are disciplined, focused and give our all to Him. We enter it with an unwavering commitment, with no looking back.
The good fight is to live life Christ-centered no matter what the cost. Being a Christian isn't for whimps and sissys. When we profess Christ as Lord we give our rights to lordship. We confess that we are bought and paid for. We've surrendered to His desire for our life. Timothy volunteered for this war. Paul is reminding Timothy that he stepped up and professed Christ. And he entered into the arena of the agon. You can't volunteer and then run off when the battle gets uncomfortable. The battle will be agonizing. Jesus said,
"No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
NKJV; Luke 9:62; 1982, Thomas Nelson
The commandment Timothy was urged to keep was the calling on his life to preach the gospel and the word of God. Paul pointed out that it wasn't him that put Timothy up to this, or called him, it was Jesus Himself. Jesus, the giver of life understood what it was like to give a good confession. He stood before Pilate and said the words that would get Him nailed to a cross. He knew what the good fight was about.
You get the distinct feeling in this letter that Timothy was complaining or maybe having a little bit of a pity party over how hard this battle was. Maybe Timothy was longing for the 'good ole days' when life was better and simpler. Maybe Timothy thought he earned a better assignment. It was a little like Paul saying, 'Tell it to Jesus who fought the real battle.' This is a call to quit whining, pick up your sword and get back in the battle. Whatever it was that Timothy was feeling was nothing compared to what Christ experienced.
That same exhortation goes for all of us. All that we are involved in is small by comparison. We have to remember we aren't serving ourselves. We aren't serving other men. Our commander in chief is the Lord of Lords, the king of kings, the only potentate, he alone overcame death to dwell in the unapproachable light. He is man, yet he is God, eternal, without beginning and without end. How could Timothy read that paragraph and not get fired up and ready to serve, no matter what. Bring on the good fight, I'm in!!! Charge!!!
1 Timothy 6:17
Paul spoke to Timothy of those pursuing riches and the error of greed. He would now speak to those who already had some wealth. We can't know what he used for a measuring stick. How do you define 'rich'? In our day, most of us have a roof over our heads, we eat well, we all have a nice TV's, computers, cell phones, boats, guns, golf clubs, whatever! In America, the poverty level would be considered rich in many parts of the world. In Paul and Timothy's day, wealth wasn't so much measured by money in the back but possession of land. The really wealthy had acquired land to subsequently rent or farm to produce more income than necessary for survival. As trade broadened across the seas, those who owned ships were considered wealthy.
Paul reminded Timothy to teach others to refrain from being haughty about wealth. It is relative and fleeting. The wealth you hold dear and trust in may crumble tomorrow. You can store it in barns, but you can't take it with you. The greater message was to not trust in the things of this world but trust God alone who is the one from which all riches come.
Wealth was an opportunity for good works that others couldn't partake in. The wealthy had a great opportunity to give and share. In doing so, they would store up a good foundation for the coming kingdom. This was a wealth that would go ahead of them.
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
NKJV; Matthew 6:20-21; 1982, Thomas Nelson
The storing up of treasures in heave was presented as a foundation for the coming age. In doing so they would 'lay hold' of eternal life. This speaks of a life in this age, living the true life or life indeed, rather than a life propped up by riches.
It's not hard for most of us to imagine how wealth can be taken for granted. We even come to the point where we feel entitled to wealth. Then, we begin to think, "I have to hold onto this. It's mine. It's my money." This is even more so when we worked for it. We need to have the attitude that it is Gods, it's all His. In giving and sharing, we acquire a freedom that says, 'God possess me, any wealth I might have does not.'
In our human condition, we will never have a enough. Money can become an idol in which we seek hope, happiness and health. However, our deepest needs and desires can't be purchased by wealth. If you hold tightly to everything, your finances will never be healthy. A healthy, godly and biblical attitude toward money is to be a giver. We are to be cheerful givers.
Giving the tithe is the one thing that God says you can test him in. This is taking your pay check and giving the first fruits of that check to God. He will bless you if you are faithful and trust him. He's not going to make your rich but I believe you will find contentment and joy in being obedient to this.
1 Timothy 6:20-21
Possessing the gospel, called to preach it and then shepherd a church were all committed to Timothy. He needed to guard that trust and disregard all the junk of the world that Satan threw at him. Paul doesn't say to feel their pain, put himself in their shoes, or try to see it their way. Truth and knowledge were not to be messed with. So much religious talk these days starts with compromise. They say we just need to have a discussion to understand our differences.
Unbelievers use biblical language against the church in out day and the church is so biblically illiterate they don't recognize its partial truth or ripped out of context. It started in the garden when the devil cast doubt on what God said. It has continued since then and will continue until he comes again.
Some pastors turned away. Many believers have strayed. They were drawn into the profane and turned their back on the holy. The contradictions of the age are screamed loud enough and long enough to convince many that the cultural truth trumps biblical truth.
Paul said, O Timothy! In this letter it is the final effort of an old man, Timothy's father in the faith, to reach the young man; to help him understand the priority and purpose and calling. It's a high and holy thing. When it seems small and insignificant all he needed to do is lift his eyes and see that someday he would stand before Jesus. Until that day he needed to stay put and stay in the battle. Put his hand to the plow and not look back.
As we face our battles, we can respond in a couple of ways. We can look at our battlefield and feel sorry for our self and wish we had a more favorable ground to fight on or better weapons. We can drop our sword and hang our head and give up and wait for the Lords return. But that is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory because our foe has already been defeated.
Pick up your sword. Arm ourself with doctrine and truth and God's word. We can trust the One that we profess to have given our life to and we can take a step forward, today, right now with unwavering commitment; and again tomorrow, laying hold of eternal things; and every day after until the Lord returns.
The deciding factor of every spiritual battle is what lies in the heart of the person. How will you respond to the call?
�2011, 2023 Doug Ford
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