I Timothy 4:1 – 6:21 (Continued)

May 22, 2013

What is keeping you from surrendering? Why? What you give up to follow Christ doesn't satisfy you anyways. It is only when you surrender your all that you are truly free, happy, and blessed.

I Timothy 6:6 - "Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have."
I Timothy 6:7 - "We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out."

So—why on earth do people stop at nothing to obtain wealth when whatever "pleasure" it can bring is only temporary? It is here today and gone tomorrow. Having money isn't the problem. It's why you want it; how you go about getting it; and what you do with it that determines if it is a problem.

1. Why do you want it? Don't say so you can give to charities, etc. That is a cop out and an attempt to mask and cover-up your own selfish desires. You already have what charities need the most—your time.
2. How do you go about getting it? Is it part of every thought and scheme? Do you cheat others to benefit yourself? Is it honest pay for an honest days work? Do you neglect other things (time with God, family, helping others) to get it? Do you lie? Is it ill-gotten?
3. What do you do with it? Do you hoard it? Is there ever enough? Are you obsessed with how to keep it and grow it? Do you share generously? Is your opinion about yourself linked with what you "have"? Is it "mine" or is it God's? Is it a tool to help others or is it so you can be independent (even of God) and help yourself?

I Timothy 6:9–10 - "Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people. The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow." NIV - "Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Most people desire money so they can be in control of their own lives. But who is supposed to be in control? Us? Or God? Matthew 6:24–34 promises us God provisions. We are not to worry. We are to surrender to God as Lord. Paul goes on to say in I Timothy 6:17–19 - "Command those who are rich with things of this world not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not in their uncertain riches. God richly gives us everything to enjoy. Tell the rich people to do good, to be rich in doing good deeds, to be generous, and ready to share. By doing that, they will be saving a treasure for themselves as a strong foundation for the future. Then they will be able to have the life that is true life."

Trust in God, not riches. That is true if you don't have money but wish you did, and it is true if you already have riches. Riches have no eternal value. Trusting God has eternal value that is immeasurable. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when on our minted coins and printed bills they wrote, "In God We Trust"! They did not write "In this we trust." Blessed with riches? In God We Trust! Struggling with little? In God We Trust! I Timothy 6:8 - "But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that." No matter what—In GOD We Trust!!

As believers we are to run away from false teachings and thinking wealth is what will make us happy. Instead, we are to run toward living in the right way, serving God, having faith, love, patience, and gentleness. We are to "fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever." (I Timothy 6:12) We were called... and we answered that call. NOW DO! I Timothy 6:14 - "Do what you were commanded to do without wrong or blame until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again."

God is in control. He is the One and only God, the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords. He is the One. May all honor and glory be His forever. Guard what God has trusted you with. Stay away from foolish, useless things and of so-called "knowledge." I Timothy 6:21 - "By saying they have that "knowledge," some have missed the true faith." It is not about what you know. It is about what God teaches you.

Reading that verse reminds me of something my sister said as we were driving them to the airport after their December '06 visit. At the time I just thought it was another one of her arrogant outrageous statements. Now we realize what she said was symptomatic of a much larger and deep-seated problem. Here is the exact quote. She said (speaking about herself and her husband), "We are on the cutting edge of everything." She was speaking about all the "knowledge" they thought they'd gained from attending "guru" boot camps. They paid thousands of dollars to be taught (in my opinion) how to manipulate people and the system. Here is what I totally missed back in 2006:

1. It was not just an arrogant statement, it was a reflection of what was at the core of her life—pride; 
2. They were willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars in order to gain "knowledge" from the world's perspective;
3. It was all about their desire to gain extreme wealth;
4. They bought into the lies and participated in the manipulation of others under the guise of "financial freedom."   

Goodness. Paul (God) says to stay away from foolish, useless things and of so-called "knowledge."

Addendum: 10/27/16 ~ At the end of this chapter I have written notes from a sermon at church. I unfortunately did not write down who the speaker was so I don't know who to attribute the statements to. I have written the following:

"God did not give us wealth to raise our standard of living but to raise our standard of giving."

That is a powerful, powerful statement and worthy of reading over multiple times. It is NOT about us and what we can get!! It is ALL about HIM and what we can give. I also have written:

 Of all the verses in the Bible: 500 +/- deal with Faith; 500 +/- deal with Prayer; and 2000 +/- deal with Money, Wealth, or Possessions. There are 38 Parables. Almost half of them (sixteen) are about wealth.

I Timothy 6:10 - Some people eager for money have wandered from the truth and pierced themselves with many griefs.

"Pierced themselves." What an ironic statement. The very thing they think is going to bring them happiness brings hurt instead. What they thought would bring happiness to "self" ends up causing "self-inflicted" wounds. Money, wealth, or possessions will NEVER bring lasting happiness. Happiness is not determined by what you have. Happiness only comes from surrendering and serving the Lord. 


Next Entry: II Timothy 1:1–18