DAY #309: 1 Timothy 6:1-21

In the Roman culture of Paul’s day, slavery was a deeply rooted institution. A great social and legal gulf separated masters and slaves. Both Paul and Peter gave instructions about master/slave relations. The abolition of slavery was not on the horizon for masters and slaves in the Roman Empire, so instructions about this touchy topic became extremely valuable. While not speaking against the institution of slavery, they gave guidelines for Christian slaves and Christian masters.

Paul wrote specifically to Christians who are slaves, explaining that their attitude toward even their unbelieving masters should be full respect. This appeared to be an obvious instruction if the master were a Christian; but even so, then the slave should work all the harder. Even if the master were an unbeliever, however, the Christian slave should still treat him or her with full respect. By so doing, the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed.

Paul’s counsel for the master/slave relationship can be applied to the employer/employee relationship today. The attitude and behavior of believers on the job will help or hurt others’ openness to the gospel they share. Employees should work hard, showing respect for their employers. In turn, employers should be fair (Colossians 3:22-25). Our work should reflect our faithfulness to and love for Christ. In that way, Christian employees will be a positive witness for Christ to an unbelieving employer.

True religion (faith in Christ) requires training and develops inner spiritual qualities, while at the same time being apparent in the way we relate to others. It exhibits true character exemplified in the way we serve others. Contentment grows from our attitude toward living God’s way. To have contentment in Christ requires four decisions about the events and possessions of our life:

We must focus on what God has already allowed us to have.
We must disregard what we do not have.
We must refuse to covet what others may have.
We must give thanks to God for each and all of his gifts.
If we fail to make these decisions, our contentment will diminish.

After stating the simple plan for living faithfully, Paul challenged the world’s view by showing the outcome of trying to gain contentment through the pursuit of wealth. The desire to be rich is, by its very nature, a desire that cannot be satiated. People who long to be rich cannot understand contentment because they can never have enough money. The temptation of money eventually traps people into doing anything to get money—illegal or immoral—even being willing to hurt others. People’s desire for money feeds their greed. Soon their passion plunges them into ruin and destruction.

People often misquote this verse, saying, “money is the root of all evil.” But it is the love of money that Paul speaks against. Money itself is not evil; in fact, money can do much good for the furthering of God’s Kingdom. Money supports missionaries around the globe; money helps organizations fight for Christian causes in government; money supports churches and church leaders; money helps feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Obviously, while God doesn’t need money (in fact, all the money in the world belongs to him), he can use money given by generous people to help those in need. These people can give because they control their money. The problem happens when money controls people.

People who love money are controlled by a ruthless, insatiable master, for the love of money can never be satisfied. Loving money is at the root of all kinds of evil: marriage problems, illegal acts, blowups in partnerships, envy, immorality, lying, ruthlessness, stealing, and a willingness to even hurt others if it makes money. The worst scenario, of course, is that money would actually lead a person from the faith. It’s tragic when money replaces God in a person’s life.

In contrast to those who had wandered from the faith in their quest for riches, Paul addressed Timothy as a man of God who should run from all these evil things, and instead to follow what is right and good. This involves wholehearted efforts to grow into the kind of person God has already declared he would be in eternity.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Would to God that we would see our work, our home life - really everything we do as worship. Would to God that we would seek to please God in ALL we do. Would to God that others would be drawn to a relationship with Christ because of what they see in us.

There is only one way to live this thing called the Christian Life - all out. Full throttle. Sold out.

That is why Jesus gave us the greatest commandment - Matthew 22:37-39 - "Love the Lord your God with ALL your mind and heart and soul and strength ..."

Lord, raise up those kind of followers here at COV. Followers who would and could say willingly - "ANYTIME, ANYPLACE WITH ANYONE AT WHATEVER COST - I WILL SERVE THE LORD."