WORD From The Woods
1 Timothy 6:3-10
“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
As Paul gets toward the end of this letter to Timothy, he gives some final warnings for him to give to the people at Ephesus. These warnings are still very relevant to us today. Ephesus was a lot like the world we live in, prosperous, advanced and well educated. The people there were very wrapped up in the pursuit of knowledge, wealth and prominence in society. Many of them likely would have seen Christianity as a means to achieve those things. We hear that message from a lot of popular teachers today who claim that if you follow Christ you’ll be blessed and have a great life, you know, just “living your best life.” This is really just a self-based religious idea! Christ calls us to deny our selfish desires and pursue Him above all else! This trap is so easy to fall into in the logging business. It takes a tremendous amount of money to keep a logging company going, millions of dollars fly though just a single side each year! Its so easy to get distracted by the material possessions we’re surrounded by and try to just use godliness as a means for gain, thinking that God will simply bless us if we keep Him happy. The problem with that thinking is that our heart is focused on things rather than the one who created all things! Paul says in this passage that the love of money is the root of all evil, not that money itself is evil. Money can be a great thing, and used for many wonderful things. But, when it gets ahold of our heart and becomes more important than God, it leads to all kinds of evil desires. As followers of Christ, we won’t find what we’re looking for in things and success, we’ll find true contentment in Christ Himself and a life that seeks to glorify Him above all else. Our Father in heaven does like to bless us, many times that blessing comes in the form of success in business, and financial prosperity. And there are many ways we can use those things for the glory of God and to spread of the Gospel of Christ! The question is, what has ahold of our heart? If the answer isn’t Jesus Christ, then this warning is for you.
God bless and have great week! -Terry-
1 Timothy 6:3-10
“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
As Paul gets toward the end of this letter to Timothy, he gives some final warnings for him to give to the people at Ephesus. These warnings are still very relevant to us today. Ephesus was a lot like the world we live in, prosperous, advanced and well educated. The people there were very wrapped up in the pursuit of knowledge, wealth and prominence in society. Many of them likely would have seen Christianity as a means to achieve those things. We hear that message from a lot of popular teachers today who claim that if you follow Christ you’ll be blessed and have a great life, you know, just “living your best life.” This is really just a self-based religious idea! Christ calls us to deny our selfish desires and pursue Him above all else! This trap is so easy to fall into in the logging business. It takes a tremendous amount of money to keep a logging company going, millions of dollars fly though just a single side each year! Its so easy to get distracted by the material possessions we’re surrounded by and try to just use godliness as a means for gain, thinking that God will simply bless us if we keep Him happy. The problem with that thinking is that our heart is focused on things rather than the one who created all things! Paul says in this passage that the love of money is the root of all evil, not that money itself is evil. Money can be a great thing, and used for many wonderful things. But, when it gets ahold of our heart and becomes more important than God, it leads to all kinds of evil desires. As followers of Christ, we won’t find what we’re looking for in things and success, we’ll find true contentment in Christ Himself and a life that seeks to glorify Him above all else. Our Father in heaven does like to bless us, many times that blessing comes in the form of success in business, and financial prosperity. And there are many ways we can use those things for the glory of God and to spread of the Gospel of Christ! The question is, what has ahold of our heart? If the answer isn’t Jesus Christ, then this warning is for you.
God bless and have great week! -Terry-