*1 Timothy 6:3-21
Paul warns against the love of money, instructs the wealthy to use their riches for good, and encourages contentment with godliness.
- Warning Against False Teachers:
- Paul cautions Timothy about those who teach false doctrines and do not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings that accord with godliness.
- He highlights the dangers of such individuals being conceited, having an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words, which only lead to envy, strife, malicious talk, and evil suspicions.
- Contentment and Godliness:
- Paul emphasizes the importance of godliness with contentment, noting that true wealth is found in being satisfied with what one has.
- He warns against the love of money, which leads to all kinds of evil, causing some to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs.
- Charge to Timothy:
- Timothy is urged to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
- He is reminded of his calling and the confession he made before many witnesses, and encouraged to keep this commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Final Instructions:
- Paul instructs Timothy to charge the rich in the present age not to be haughty or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides everything for their enjoyment.
- They are to be rich in good deeds, generous, and willing to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
- Guard the Deposit Entrusted:
- Paul charges Timothy to guard the deposit entrusted to him, avoiding irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.
- He warns against those who have swerved from the faith, professing vain and empty doctrines.
1 Timothy 6:3-21 warns us about the danger of loving money too much and encourages us to focus on what truly matters—faith, love, and doing good. Paul reminds us that true riches come from knowing God and living with contentment. Instead of chasing wealth, we should pursue righteousness and be generous in helping others. We can apply this by keeping our priorities in the right place, being thankful for what we have, and using our resources to bless those in need.
1 Timothy 6:3-21 (WEB)
6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, 4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions, 5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. 8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. 13 I command you before God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate testified the good confession, 14 that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 16 He alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen nor can see, to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.17 Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; 18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; 19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.20 Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some profess, and thus have wandered from the faith.Grace be with you. Amen.