At risk of causing offence to some, I have to say how relevant to today I find these words from the ESV Bible’s version of the McCheyne reading plan where today we read 1 Tim 6:
“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. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 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.”
Firstly I am encouraqed to continue our discussion on the gospel. Paul is quite clear that he wants us teach and urge the truth- thus it is imporant that we know what it is we preach. Sometimes these days I almost invert Pauls statement and look for the attitude of someone claiming to be a teacher of God’s word almost before I assess their teaching. And, perhaps not surprisingly I do find may a “teacher” who seemns to me puffed up with conceit, and with a craving for arguments. Sometimes I even find that they cant seem to even make me understand what they are saying. The bible is right when it speaks of those who disagree in this way. Of course there are those who disagree on more minor points who seem humble, but increasingly I look for a godly attitude and find that where I find that a surprising degree of agreement with at least basic Christian doctrine almost always is also there.
Then, of course I find it astonishing that people can read this passage and still hold to what some call the “prosperity” gospel. Rather than striving for more and more money, there is a need for us to exhibit contentment. If God gives us riches in reward for our hard work that is one thing, but to crave it and “claim it” in faith seems totally inconsistent with this passage.
That is of course not to say that riches are inherrantly evil, indeed Paul goes on later in the passage to highlight that if we have riches God intends us to enjoy them.
!17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
How relevant and up to date is the bible!
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