PURSUE SPIRITUAL GAIN

APRIL 7, 2013 

1.     WATCH OUT FOR GREED (1 TIMOTHY 6:3-5)

1 Timothy 6:3-5

3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

NASB 

Verse 3:

·         The description given in V.3-5 is true of every dissenter who "does not come over to the sound or wholesome Words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 4:

·         There are some proud men in the ministry and they do cause trouble.

·         Some people are even proud that they have been saved by the grace of God!

·         They live in a mental, moral, and spiritual world of their own making. They are completely out of touch with reality.

·         The man stricken with such a disease will exaggerate.

·         They are filled with malignant ill will, with poisonous spite.

·         Such a person is unwilling to admit defeat. Bitter discords often follows.

·         They frequently contradict others, and mistrusts them.

Verse 5:

·         Those who possess such a mind become completely and permanently separated from the Truth: God's revelation as revealed in His Word.

·         They believe that an outward show of godliness will benefit them with both men and God. They make a show of their "religion." 

2.     BE CONTENT (1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10)

1 Timothy 6:6-10

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.

NASB 

Verse 6:

·         The truly pious and godly individual has peace with God, spiritual joy, assurance of salvation.

·         Hence, he feels no need of earthly goods. He is content with what he has.

·         It is important that we find satisfaction with our position in life.

Verse 7:

·         We should make sure that we are supporting the work of God in some way.

Verse 8:

·         This is the first need level in Maslow's Need Hierarchy.

·         He would teach us to trust Him to supply all our needs.

·         The desire to meet the needs of the body is not criticized.

·         It is the yearning for material riches, as if these could satisfy the soul, that is condemned.

Verse 9:

·         The person who craves riches generally also yearns for honor, popularity, power, ease, the satisfaction of the desires of the flesh, etc.

·         We more money we have, the more able we are to afford the temptations of the world, the more we are tempted to do it.

·         There are a lot of snares and temptations in this world.

·         The men whose hearts are set on riches experience only loss.

Verse 10:

·         The desire for riches has been the cause of: frauds, dollar-sign marriages, divorces, perjuries, robberies, murders, and wars. 

"In the pocket of a rich man who had just committed suicide was found $30,000 and a letter which read in part: "I have discovered during my life that piles of money do not bring happiness. I am taking my life because I can no longer stand the solitude and boredom. When I was an ordinary workman in New York, I was happy. Now that I possess millions I am infinitely sad and prefer death."

W. A. Maier, "For Better Not For Worse"

3.     FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT (1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16)

1 Timothy 6:11-16

11 But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time —  He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

NASB 

Verse 11:

·         Flee from such things as wickedness, money-hunger, error, envy, wrangling, and reviling.

·         We belong to Him, and His name would mean less than it does if one who trusted in Him were lost to the snares of the world.

·         God will always answer the born-again believer when the believer cries for help.

Verse 12:

·         This is an imposing verse for it calls for a maximum effort on our part to do that which is good in the sight of the Lord.

·         The fight may be outward or inward, physical or spiritual.

Verse 13:

·         The fight may be outward or inward, physical or spiritual.

·         Timothy should not fear for his life, for the "charge" is given and received under the very eyes of that God who is the Giver and Preserver of Life.

·         And Timothy should remember what Christ Jesus did when He testified before an enemy of the Truth.

Verse 14:

·         Believers in the early church knew what commandment that Paul meant, for it was the commandment that was preached over and over again.

·         This commandment, which was considered great by Jesus, is not reserved for ministers, like Timothy, it is intended for all believers in Jesus, who is their hope when He returns.

Verse 15:

·         He will display it as proof in public vindication of the Son and of His people.

·         The Scriptures consistently declare the omnipotence of God in ruling the universe.

·         He has an absolute right to do as He pleases in all things and matters.

·         It should bring a real and solid peace to a grace-touched soul to realize that God is on the throne of the universe, directing its affairs both small and great, and working all things after the counsel of His own will.

Verse 16:

·         Immortality is not to be confused with endless existence - the concept of immortality is far more exalted.

·         For the believer immortality is therefore a redemptive concept. It is everlasting salvation.

·         Dwelling in unapproachable light signifies that the divine glory is beyond human comprehension for any creature to draw near.

·         Such a God is worthy of all honor, reverence, esteem, and adoration. 

4.     USE WEALTH WISELY (1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19)

1 Timothy 6:17-19

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

NASB 

Verse 17:

·         When all things are made new, there will be no more need for earthly riches, for believers will enjoy spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

·         They will have laid up for themselves treasures in heaven which does not rust or is corrupted by age or changes.

·         To say that God is wise is not the same as saying that He is omniscience.

·         To know all things and to know how to use the knowledge of all things wisely are two different concepts.

·         But God in His perfections is perfect in his knowledge and in His use of that knowledge.

Verse 18:

·         What should be the attitude of the rich is continued in this verse.

Verse 19:

·         This is the result of establishing and maintaining a proper relationship toward God and other people.

·         By the practice of sharing, a person is storing up a treasure for themselves.

·         Gifts are spiritual investments.

·         By giving materially one enriches himself spiritually, and assures himself of future reward.