Thoughts on 1 Timothy 6
I don’t highlight verses much, but I’ve highlighted almost all of 1 Timothy 6..
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV)
As I’ve started teaching, I have been really blessed with the lessons I am learning as I prepare. The teacher does learn more than the student. But this is my fear – that I might make a mistake and teach “a different doctrine [that] does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That I might be a worker who does not “correctly handles the word of truth.”
I should keep my motives – my heart – in check.
- Godliness should not be a means to gain.
- The leader is essentially a servant.
- All knowledge comes from God, especially insight regarding His will.
- People are more important than the Presentation (or PowerPoint).
- To teach is a great blessing, a great privilege, and a great responsibility.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:9-10 ESV)
I sometimes find myself struggling with this: the desire to be rich. It creeps up on me. Traps and snares are not meant to be obvious.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11 ESV)
Flee from the bad, Purse the good. Cannot be one without the other. Has to be both.