Read with Me
1 Timothy 6:17-21 (HCSB)
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith.
Grace be with all of you.
Listen with Me
Paul concludes his letter to his protégé with a final set of instructions.
Ephesus was an important city in the province of Asia, and many people in the city had money, material wealth. It was tempting for those wealthy individuals, even the Christians, to spend their wealth on themselves, on their pleasures and “stuff”.
But Paul understood well that material wealth was an illusion. It could disappear almost without warning, or it could be wasted on things that quickly broke or were consumed, leaving the person with nothing. And even if they used that wealth wisely, they would ultimately leave it all behind when their earthly lives were over.
A better focus was to spend their time and energy on God, accumulating treasure in heaven, treasure that time would not destroy and that they would never have to leave behind (Matthew 6:19-21). And, coincidentally, that change of focus would result in them not being nearly so easy a target for the false teachers he had been warning about.
But it was not only the “people in the pews” that were in danger of falling prey to the false teachers and their promises of secret knowledge. Pastors and leaders are also susceptible, because they have a deep desire to have the strongest relationship possible with God. So, they can easily get sucked into the latest fads promoting spiritual growth, or more effective prayer, or even quick Church growth.
Many pastors have bookshelves lined with books and binders from seminars that they hoped would provide the formula for greater personal and organizational growth, none of which lived up to the hype. Some of these disappointments have even caused some to doubt their own calling to the ministry. And some have been led to such doubt that it has destroyed their faith.
Paul’s solution is to quit chasing after the latest new thing, and to simply guard the biblical truths that have been entrusted to us. By staying rooted in eternal truths rather than chasing after so called “new truths”, one gained spiritual stability, and resilience when trouble or divisions arise.
Pray with Me
Father, You are absolutely right that even pastors and leaders can end up chasing after the latest fads that promise greater spiritual growth, or greater Church growth, and they can end up not only disappointed, sometimes disillusioned, but even end up wandering away from the clear truths in Your word. Those old truths aren’t very flashy, but they are powerful and effective over the long run because they are empowered by Your Spirit. Lord, protect my heart from the swan song of the “new and improved”, and helped me to cling instead to the “tried and true” revealed in Your word. Amen.