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"True
RIches" • 6.5.16 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- We are coming to the end of the book of I
Timothy, but are currently near the end of a section in which Paul instructs
Timothy how he is to view and treat members of the church.
- He is to treat some as family, some with
honor and some with support. The immediate section before us brings Timothy's
relationship within the church into final focus.
- Paul begins with what he is to teach slaves
and masters. Verse 1.
Text
• I Timothy
6:1,2 : "Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own
masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not
be blasphemed. And
those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are
brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers
and beloved. Teach and exhort these things." : Roman culture, which permeated the social state of Ephesus,
grew and was maintained by a vast number of slaves. Some have estimated that 25
percent of population were slaves.
- If you were a member of a conquered people
group, or if you or your family fell into debt, you would become a slave. If
your parents were slaves, this was your automatic lot in life.
- This was the reality in Paul's society, one
which he has no interest in changing, but that he helped to change by the
equality espoused in the gospel!
- In the gospel and thus in the church, there
is neither bond nor free, male or female. All are one in Christ and Christ is
in all equally! (Galatians 3:28,
Colossians 3:11)
- Eventually, it was the subversive gospel
which brought down the oppressive state of slavery in Rome. The seeds of this
societal shift began in the church!
- The relationship between a bondservant and a
master faced radical gospel redefinition. In some cases, a bondservant could be
a leader in his master's church!
- On Sunday, they were brothers and friends.
Perhaps a slave had been entrusted with either a deacon or elder role. On Monday,
they were again Master and slave.
- Paul commands the bondservants to esteem
their own masters, their "despots" with all the honor that was due to
them.
- These are bondservants who are "under
the yoke." The phrase is indicative of hard and disagreeable labor. Not
all slaves had it bad. Some were honored and greatly loved.
- But there were some who drew very difficult
assignments. Their response was to view their own Masters with all reverence.
- They are to esteem their Masters in the same
way that the church is to esteem it's widows and it's elders! Same word! And
while it's not the same condition, there is an immediate application.
- How do you view your "Masters" or
in our modern day language, employers? Do you esteem them with all honor? Note
again that there is no pre-existing condition whereby honor is due.
- We may not be able to honor a person, but we
must be able to honor a position!
- Paul doesn't give them or you the
"out" if they are disagreeable or cantankerous. The word
"count" is written in command language. They must do this and for a
very good reason.
- You might think, "Yes, it's because I
need the job and the paycheck that comes with it!" That's a good reason,
but Paul gives us one that is far superior!
- They were to honor their masters SO that the
name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. Draw some arrows around
this text. God's reputation is at stake!
- The Name of God refers to His person and the
association that a believer has with Him. He puts His Name upon you.
Consequently, you represent Him when you go to work!
- You are also closely related to His doctrine,
the teaching of the church. What the church believes, it is assumed, and
rightly so, that it is what you believe!
- Often, you will find that unregenerate people
have a faulty view of God's Word and misapply it for their purposes but are
keenly aware when the Christian foregoes their agreed responsibility.
- Understand that the non-Christian will defame
and speak evil of God or that which you are supposed to hold precious, His
Word, when you do not hold to your end of the bargain!
- Honor your employers! And what about your
believing employer? If you have a Master, honor them and be a witness. If you
have a Christian Master, honor them and be a blessing!
- Timothy is to teach them not to despise them
simply because they are believers. Why does Paul need to say this? Because the
prevalent issue of familiarity has always applied!
- They had to be told this because of
presumption. "They are a believer so I can expect them to treat me special
since I am a believer!" That is how you "despise" your Christian
employer!
- This is the same word that Paul uses in the
4th chapter. "Let no one despise your youth." - The YLT captures the sense when it reads, "and those having believing masters, let
them not slight them,
because they are brethren."
- It's easy to presume that a Christian might
favor another Christian in the work place, granting exclusive favors or
providing an understanding environment.
- If that happens from the employer to the
employee, then so be it. Enjoy your privilege. But never seek to force that
from your position as an employee!
- Presume the opposite! Presume to work harder
than your non-Christian counterparts. Presume not that God has brought you
there not to receive a benefit, but to be a benefit!
- Your employer, Christian or not, should
receive greater and greater returns for his choice of you because you are a
loyal employee that loves him and is seeking to bless him!
- Paul commands Timothy to continue teaching
and exhorting these things. There are always more important and pressing
spiritual matters which must take precedence over your private feelings!
- A final word before we move on. What does not
apply to slaves certainly does apply to us. A slave could not change their
owner or better their situation by looking for alternate employment.
- You may have come to the Lord after being in
a job that compromises your ability for one reason or another to follow and
honor Him!
- Until you can find alternate employment,
honor your employer as unto the Lord and pray that He opens a new avenue for
you. Paul moves on to another group within the church. Verse 3.
• I Timothy
6:3-5 : "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which
accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and
arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of
men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is
a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.":The church is a place for God's
uniform, once delivered truth to be proclaimed.
- Therefore, if a person who was a
teacher decided to teach something other than what had become the accepted
norm, this was to be addressed.
- The person here is one who is
presently and repeatedly teaching something "other." This isn't a
person who slips in his explanation or mistakenly fails to make something
clear.
- This is someone who is
determined to hoist something foreign upon the people of God. That person is
not to go unchecked. In fact, the next phrase implicitly describes what must
take place.
- Such a person must lovingly be
confronted. He is to consent, to "come
near" or to "come to." There is an element of submission and
agreement to the word.
- This is to be done lovingly and respectfully.
Our great example of this took place in the life of Apollos, who was taken aside
by Priscilla and Aquila, who explained God's word more accurately.
- This person is to agree to
"wholesome" or "hygienic," uncorrupted words. You can
almost hear Paul's voice raise, as he ponders this out loud.
- The only clean and uncorrupted words that
this world has, emanate from Jesus Christ. You can hear the incredulity in
Paul's voice when he says, "even the very words of our Lord!"
- We have in our possession, the Bible, the
very Word and communcation of God. What is taught therein is the doctrine which
produces a godly life pleasing to Him!
- Why in the world would we accept any
substitute? When a person won't consent to these wonderful and practical
considerations, you have a man that is not ignorant, but proud.
- We've looked at this word previously and
noted that it was closely associated with someone enveloped in smoke! They are
wrapped in a mist and cannot see clearly beyond their own confusion.
- Generally, a person enveloped in their own
pride considers themselves well studied and intellectual. Paul says plainly
that they know nothing!
- It sounds and feels pretty good to say that
such a person knows nothing, but the better translation is that they lack any
understanding. They are not rightly understanding the truth.
- I've seen this multiplied thousands of times.
"This verse says this therefore this teaching must be right." Wrong.
This is the very reason we study the whole Bible.
- When parts are divorced from their context,
the Bible can seem to say anything that anyone wants to prove! These people
seem more intelligent and seem to be people of great depth.
- Instead, Paul says, they are sick, having a
morbid fascination with debate and trifling words. They love to wrangle over
these things which ultimately don't matter!
- Everything that they are pursuing ends in
jealousy, slander and suspicion! "I know more than you." "You
aren't that great of a Christian if you don't believe this!" "I
wonder if you are even saved!"
- Have you ever encountered a person like that?
If your study of God makes you an expert over against your brother or sister,
you have not studied well and you certainly don't understand!
- The result of a proper theological study
should result in greater humility, not in greater pride! Unfortunately more
rotten fruit comes from these prideful people.
- The obsess with useless wranglings of men.
This is only found here and it speaks of a long and contentious discussion.
Such things are foreign to God's Word.
- But that isn't where these teachers are
getting their information. Their allegiance is to the minds and systems of men
whose minds are ruined and worn out.
- In other places, the word speaks of a moth
eaten piece of clothing. These men are deprived of the truth.
- This sounds as though they have not had the
opportunity to have the truth, but the sense of the word is that they've done
it to themselves!
- They have robbed themselves of their
opportunity to know the truth! They have spoiled themselves! They've allowed
themselves to be defrauded!
- You have to wonder why they are there in the
church? They think that they know it all. They strive with everyone who will
listen to them. They are frequently fighting about the most trivial points.
- And yet, they remain. They stay there because
they hold to a belief that godliness is something to gain. It may mean that
they felt that they could financially gain from godliness.
- Certainly, that has turned out to be a true
statement among the televangelist crowd. I'm not sure that this is what Paul
means exclusively, though from what we are about to read, it does apply.
- I would suggest that their experience of
godliness is a proverbial feather that they can attach to their cap, along with their great
intellectual prowess!
- They have already ruled in one world. Why not
simply learn to rule in this world as well? Besides, where else can you find
people with a command to love everyone?
- These type of people were a part of the first
century church and they have persisted to now.
- They aren't here to learn and grow in grace.
They are hear to promote themselves and their self-subscribed, sub-Christian
agendas! Paul commands Timothy to withdraw himself from them!
- "Whoa! Paul! Don't you think a little
Pastoral help will sway them back into the right way of thinking? Don't you
think a Pastor should spend all of his time trying to win this one?"
- Paul knows what others have had the
misfortune of learning. These types of men have no desire for the truth and no
desire to be "won."
- Our most prudent move is to move aside and
stand aloof as this person walks further and further into the error that they
have purchased for themselves!
- If it weren't here in the text, given as a
command no less, I would find it suspect! But it's the inspired word of the
Holy Spirit through Paul and exceedingly wise counsel!
• I Timothy
6:6-8 : "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with
these we shall be content." : Don't
misunderstand Paul. Godliness is great gain alone, but especially when it is
accompanied with contentment.
- Being in a right relationship with the Lord,
allowing His Holy Spirit to express Himself through you, brings great gain by
itself.
- You never have to wonder where you are
because you know how you got there! You aren't worried about unexpected
pregnancies or unexpected consequences of a one night stand!
- Usually, when a person allows this to happen
humbly, even the most ardent Christian hater has to be thankful for such a
gracious person! That is great gain alone!
- And then, for that person to be content. They
see what they have as being sufficient. They don't have an external need for
other things. They aren't striving to force new circumstances
˚ "It was a
favorite Stoic word, expressing the doctrine of that sect that a man should be
sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his own will,
to resist the force of circumstances." Marvin Vincent
- We came into this world without anything and
we lack the power to leave this world in any other condition. Every one of our
children came into this world naked.
- Every one will go out with only the most
modest of attire, but not with anything else! What a fools errand then to amass
material riches for yourself only to leave them to another!
- In Luke
12, Jesus tells the story of a man who had collected so many material
possessions that he had to tear down his storage barns in order to erect even
larger barns.
• Luke
12:20 : "But God
said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be
required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" : Be grateful for your necessities, food and clothing. View
everything else as extra!
• I Timothy
6:9,10 : "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction
and perdition. For
the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed
from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows." : Those that were content with their
necessities received great gain. Ironically, those that sought great gain would
never have it.
- These people are characterized by a consuming
desire for ever increasing wealth. Such people are
headed for an overwhelming and sudden fall into a trap of adversity!
- It's fascinating. They are seeking freedom,
but are experiencing a loss of freedom instead! Contentment is true riches for
the believer.
- Paul pictures those with an unhealthy
preoccupation with riches, as those who are indeed troubled and trapped.
- He continues telling Timothy that their way
is fraught with many foolish, senseless and thoughtless, ultimately hurtful
endeavors.
- We chafe at the truth that real change takes
dedication, focus, denial of self and God's will!
- How many ideas and products have you seen
that were wrapped in promises of gold, which turned out to be some new
variation of the same old ponzi scheme?
- How may bright eyed hopefuls have stood
waiting for the product that would change the world and their destiny, only to
discover that Rome and anything like it, wasn't built in a day!?
- Some have experienced this to a degree, but
others have lost all that they owned chasing a an ever elusive dream.
Ultimately, these people are destined to sink.
- When a Greek speaker heard this, it sounded
more like this: "They are sinking and will continue to be sinking!"
They are sinking toward ruin and waste!
- This would speak first of ruin in this life.
Penniless and poor, they have given all they have for something that didn't pan
out. The second word is worse, as in their pursuit they neglected their soul!
- How sad it is for a person to seek, not to
gain, but to seek the whole world, only to lose their soul in the process!
- Those involved in such pursuits always think
that there is time and when they have appropriate amounts of disposible income
or time, then they will honor God!
- How incredibly deceived such a person can be!
Do you see why the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil?
- Money itself, properly viewed, is a blessing
of God's provision in our life. When there is a love for it in our life, there
is a root that is formed.
- What comes from that is not one kind of evil,
but all kinds of evil! What horrifying things have been done before God for the
sake of money? Only God knows all, but what we know is hideous!
- Paul is talking to the church! He is talking
about some members of God's family, whose love for God had been supplanted by a
love for money! May it not be said or thought of you!
- Some were already being led astray from the
faith toward their greediness. They are reaching out and grabbing for that
elusive target, which unbeknownst to them, will remain elusive!
- He says that they have pierced themselves
through with many sorrows. They have impaled themselves upon the sorrow of a
wasted life!
Conclusion
- According to
this passage, Paul taught Timothy to teach and exhort people along three
principle lines.
- First, Honor your
employment. Consider your witness and your contribution. A non-Christian should
desire to know more about Christ
- Second, Honor
the Lord's Word. Be thankful that it's once delivered, timeless truth that any
simple person endowed with the Holy Spirit can understand!
- Finally,
Honor the life that God has given you. Be grateful for what you have. Be
thankful for who you are in Christ. When these are your commitments, you are
the richest you will ever be!
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