The Ultimate Gain (1 Timothy 6:2b-10)
Andy Nagahara
A. False doctrines
1. The essence of false doctrines (2b-5)
2b These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
2. Paul's warning (9-10)
9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
(Matthew 6:24) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
B. Godliness with contentment is great gain (6-8)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
(Proverbs 30) 7 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, `Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Summary
We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it except only one thing. The exception is the bond between God and you. However, The temptations of money have the power to deprive you of the privilege. These temptations are clever and dangerous. Behind their plausible teachings, there is the true intention. It is to encourage people to seek financial gain for justifying their love of money. Let us reject the false doctrines with a help of Holy Spirit and seek the ultimate gain.
For Discussion
1) What is the ultimate gain?
2) What is the difference between having money and serving money?