Take Hold of Contentment - 1Timothy 6:3-19 - October 15, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – Take Hold of Contentment – October 15, 2006

This is lesson three (3) in our series “Equipped for Real Life.”

As we journey through life, we encounter people with many different notions, philosophies, doctrines and ideas about spiritual matters. They can be very convincing, particularly if we are not on a firm spiritual foundation. Most of us recall Jim Jones and other charismatic leaders who have misled many people. They may have begun their ministry with good intentions but some where along the way they distorted the truth. They used the Bible, distorted the truth and before their followers knew it; they were in a bad situation.

In the story of the frog in the water, if the frog is placed in hot water he will jump out but if he is placed in cold water which is gradually heated he will be cooked. So when your spiritual antenna begin to alert you about a teaching, pay attention. Check out the doctrine or concern by praying and using the Bible as your authority.

Our lesson continues to focus on teachers teaching false doctrine.

Our background scripture is 1Timothy 6:3-19.

Our focus scripture is 1Timothy 6:3-12, 17-19.

Let’s read 1Timothy6:3-5:

Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among men whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness[1] Referring to religion as a means of financial gain is a way to material gain.[2]

Paul tells Pastor Timothy that he or anyone else who teaches the doctrine of CHRIST must stick with the fundamentals of the gospel.

Those who teach a different doctrine are:

1. Conceited – This is not being stuck-up. This is a person whose mind is clouded with a mist. Or as we sometimes say, that person is in the fog. Their minds are in the fog because of pride and cannot see themselves as they are.

2. Understanding nothing – Because the person is empty of facts. They do not have a foundation to help them process spiritual or biblical information and come to right conclusions. Haven’t you seen or heard people that talk about a lot of things and you know they do not know what they are talking about? But to someone else ignorant of that subject may think the person is a genius.

3. Have a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words – These people love to engage in verbal disputes and arguments for the sake of arguing. I have known people that will argue a point to the very end. Then when you finally agree with them, you discover they do not really believe what they just convinced you of. They just like to argue and see if they can convince people of their point-of-view.

Paul tells Timothy if he does not take urgent action to correct this problem, it will create a world of problems in his church. Paul then listed those problems in verses 4b-5:

From these come envy, quarreling, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among men whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness[1] Referring to religion as a means of financial gain is a way to material gain.[2]

Notice verse 5 – How many times have we heard a preacher or pastor give a feel good message about GOD wanting all Christians to have money and things. This can be one of the most misleading and destructive doctrines a preacher or teacher can teach.

Often this message is coupled with faith. If you have enough faith, you can have whatever material things you want. This is why we must have a healthy relationship with our LORD. We must have faith in the LORD and HE is THE ONE WHO provides our needs.

We hear testimonies from people telling about how they gave their last dollar or last hundred dollars to the church and the next day the LORD provided them with some multiple of the amount they gave. Now stay with me. I am not putting down faith or being obedient to what GOD asks us to do. Just be careful not to get drawn into the emotion of the moment hoping that GOD will do a mighty work in your life that in turn, you can tell about. Then people will see how spiritual you are. Let GOD lead you in what you do.

The key is to make sure GOD is asking you to act in faith. Some times we hear stories of faith and we think that we need to have that kind of faith. Then the first opportunity we have to exercise our faith, we respond and we fall on our face. Then we either blame GOD or we struggle with, “What do we need to do to increase our faith?” The problem is we have tested GOD and not acted in faith. We think that acts of GOD, in our lives, show others how spiritual we are and therefore we seek the act rather than seeking HIM. We should seek the relationship and let HIM manifest Himself through us.

Why can I say this? Because, I have traveled this road. Paul tells us in the next scripture, what is important.

Let’s read 1Timothy 6:6-8:

Other mss add From such people withdraw yourself.

6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and[3] Other mss add it is clear that we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing,[4] Or food and shelter we will be content with these.

If we really want to get gain, then we need to make Godliness our priority and that comes by focusing on our relationship with CHRIST. This is spending quality time with HIM, reading the Bible, praying and being obedient to what HE asks us to do. How do we build a relationship with our spouse? It is day to day living, loving, caring and interacting with each other.

Let’s read 1Timothy6:9-10:

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root[5] Or is the root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

When we focus upon getting rich, we set ourselves up for numerous problems which can lead to our destruction.

Being rich is not a problem. What is the problem with money?

The problem is the “LOVE” of money. GOD wants first place in our lives. HE wants us to always look to HIM for our needs. HE wants to direct the use of our resources. HE wants nothing to come between us and HIM. HE is jealous.

Let’s read 1Timothy 6:11-12

Compete for the Faith
11 Now you, man of God, run from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life, to which you were called and have made a good confession before many witnesses.

Paul sends a message to all of us. We as a Christian belong to GOD. We are men and women of GOD. But belonging to GOD does not exempt us from sin and being deceived.

Run from the things that will compromise our relationship with CHRIST. However, run to the things that are spiritually healthy. Pursue the things that will make our relationship with our LORD stronger and the things that prepare us for the battles that are sure to come. The enemy comes at us in many different forms and from many different directions. When our faith is challenged and we seek to know the truth, our faith is made stronger and results in a deeper relationship with our LORD.

Let’s read 1Timothy 6:17-19:

Instructions to the Rich
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,[7] Other mss read on the living God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 [Instruct them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.

It is easy for those who are rich in material possessions to feel secure because of their possessions. They can have a certain air or arrogance. However, I have known many very wealthy people who are very Godly and use their wealth to serve the LORD.

Paul is encouraging Timothy to teach the rich in his congregation about the importance of being obedient to GOD and building up treasure in heaven. As the rich meet the needs of others and interact with the less fortunate in life, it will help them realize the value of life on earth and prepare them for life with GOD.