The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying Paul's pastoral Epistles (Letters) to his proteges, Timothy and Titus.
We are getting close to the end of Paul's first letter to Timothy and in this session, we continue with his continues his on how to minister to groups in the church. He has given instructions on ministering to older and younger members in general, older and younger widows and to the officers of the church.
There are four more groups of people, in the church, that Paul addresses Timothy and gives instructions that he is to give to the church members. Those last groups are the slaves, false teachers, the pastor, and the wealthy of the church.
Let’s start with the slaves.
1 Timothy 6:1-2 NIV [1] All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. [2] Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves. Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all. The gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers. When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV [26] So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
But there was a problem. Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters. They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.
What if the slave's master was an unbeliever?
1 Timothy 6:1 NIV [1] All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.
For a slave to rebel against an unsaved master would bring disgrace on the gospel. This is one reason Paul and the early missionaries did not go around preaching against the sinful institution of slavery. Such a practice would have branded the church as a militant group trying to undermine the social order, and the progress of the gospel would have been greatly hindered.
Romans 2:24 NIV [24] As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
What if the slave’s master was a believer?
1 Timothy 6:2 NIV [2] Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
The danger here is that a Christian slave might take advantage of his master because both are saved. “My master is my brother!” a slave might argue. “Since we are equal, he has no right to tell me what to do!” This attitude would create serious problems both in the homes and in the churches.
Here are three reasons that Christian slaves should show respect for their believing masters and not take advantage of them.
The most obvious reason is their masters are Christians. How can one believer take advantage of another believer? Second, their masters are beloved. Love does not rebel or look for opportunities to escape responsibility. Finally, both master and servant benefit from obedience (“partakers of the benefit” can apply to both). There is a mutual blessing when Christians serve each other in the will of God doesn’t mean you can do less than your best.
Today that would apply to a church employee like a receptionist, someone involved in administration or other jobs. Just because everybody is saved
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Now how do we deal with the false teachers in the church?
Paul started this letter with a warning
1 Timothy 1:3-7 NIV [3] As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer [4] or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. [5] The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. [6] Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. [7] They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
He talked about them again in chapter 4
1 Timothy 4:1-3 NIV [1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. [3] They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
The spiritual leaders in the local church must constantly oversee what is being taught because it is easy for false doctrines to slip in. This is what Paul said when he met with the elders from Ephesus for the last time.
Acts 20:17, 28-30 NIV [17] From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
[28] Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. [29] I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Then he tells Timothy how to recognize and identify these false teachers.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV [3] If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, [4] they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions [5] and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
They refuse to adhere to sound doctrine
1 Timothy 6:3 NIV [3] If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
Godly teaching promotes godliness.
Isaiah 8:19-22 NIV [19] When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? [20] Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. [21] Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. [22] Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.
The second characteristic of false teachers is that they are arrogant.
1 Timothy 6:4 NIV [4] they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
They are not humble even though they have no reason for their arrogance, like verse 4 said they don’t understand anything.
This “conceited attitude” causes them to argue about minor matters instead of feeding on the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ. They don’t like to be questioned. This results in
envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and as it says in the first part if verse five constant friction.
1 Timothy 6:5 NIV [5] and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
So, what is the motive of these false teachers?
1 Timothy 6:5-10 NIV [5] and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
These people were using the gospel and the profession of the Christian faith (or godliness) as a why to make money. For these folk it not a ministry but a religious business.
In fact, Paul even refused to accept pay for his ministry that was his personal decision, not what he expected of others. Nobody could ever accuse him of using Christianity for greedy reasons.
1 Corinthians 9:13-18 NIV [13] Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? [14] In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. [15] But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. [16] For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [17] If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. [18] What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
What a tragedy it is today to see the religious racketeers who prey on gullible people, promising them help while taking away their money.
Paul warns Timothy—and us—about the dangers of covetousness,
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Wealth does not bring contentment
1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
The word contentment means “an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances.”
Philippians 4:10-11 NIV [10] I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
True contentment comes from godliness in the heart, not financial wealth. A person who depends on material things for peace and assurance will never be satisfied.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV [10] Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Wealth is not lasting
1 Timothy 6:7 NIV [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Look at
Job 1:20-21 NIV [20] At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship [21] and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
When someone dies, they can’t take anything with them even if they put their wealth in the coffin with them. Whatever wealth we attain goes to the government, our heirs, to charity and the church. The answer to the question “How much did he leave is this he left Everything!
All we really need for survival is in verse 8. If we have those, we can get other things
A miser without food would starve to death counting his money.
The desire for wealth leads to sin
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV [9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Those who want to get rich describe a person who must have more material things to be happy and feel successful. But riches are a trap. Instead of giving satisfaction, riches create additional lusts (desires), and these must be satisfied. Instead of providing help and health, an excess of material things hurts and wounds.
The result is someone that trusts in wealth and when times get tough, they can’t deal with it.
Back to those false teachers who use Christianity as a means of financial gain. It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
Paul has said that the godly elder of leader is certainly worthy of his hire, but his motive for laboring must not be money. If that the motive they are like the person Jesus talked about in
John 10:12-13 NIV [12] The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. [13] The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
We should not ask, “How much will I get?” but rather “How much can I give?”
We’ll come back to the final instructions about the pastor but let’s go now to Paul’s instruction to Timothy about ministering to the wealthy in the church.
Paul had already written about the danger of the love of money,
1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV [9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But here he added a special “charge” for Timothy to give to the rich. We may not think that this charge applies to us, but it does. After all, our standard of living today would certainly make us “rich” in the eyes of Timothy’s congregation!
Here’s the charge
1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV [17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
First be humble
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV [17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
We are not owners; we are stewards. If we have wealth, it is by the goodness of God and not because of any special merits on our part. The possessing of material wealth ought to humble a person and cause him to glorify God, not himself.
Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV [18] But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
In fact, a person who is poor in this world can use even his limited means to glorify God, and discover great reward in the next world.
Luke 16:19-31 NIV [19] “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. [20] At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores [21] and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. [24] So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ [25] “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ [27] “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, [28] for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ [29] “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ [30] “ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ [31] “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Next trust God, not wealth
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV [17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
The rich farmer in our Lord’s parable (Luke 12:16–21) thought that his wealth meant security, when really it was evidence of insecurity.
Luke 12:16-21 NIV [16] And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. [17] He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ [18] “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. [19] And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ [20] “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ [21] “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
He was not really trusting God. Riches are uncertain, not only in their value (which changes constantly), but also in their durability. Thieves can steal wealth, investments can drop in value, and the ravages of time can ruin houses and cars. If God gives us wealth, we should trust Him, the Giver, and not the gifts.
Then enjoy what God gives you
1 Timothy 6:17 NIV [17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
You will find the word enjoy throughout the book Ecclesiastes. The recurring theme of Ecclesiastes is “Enjoy the blessings of life now, because life will end one day” (Eccl. 2:24; 3:12–15, 22; 5:18–20; 9:7–10; 11:9–10). This is simply enjoying all that God gives us for His glory.
Finally use what God gives you
1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV [18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
We should use our wealth to do good to others; we should share; we should put our money to work. When we do, we enrich ourselves spiritually, and we make investments for the future.
Luke 16:1-13 NIV [1] Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. [2] So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ [3] “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— [4] I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ [5] “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ [6] “ ‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ [7] “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “ ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ [8] “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. [9] I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. [10] “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. [11] So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? [12] And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? [13] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Let’s look at verse 19 for a minute
1 Timothy 6:19 NIV [19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
This does does not suggest that these people are not saved. “That they may lay hold on the life that is real” would express it perfectly.
Riches can lure a person into a make-believe world of shallow pleasure. But riches plus God’s will can introduce a person to life that is real and ministry that is lasting.
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