Paul warns Timothy that some people use religion or “godly acts” (in the original Greek) to get rich. How so? Well, godly acts are good things, and all good things have value. So godly acts will always have buyers. But they should never have sellers.
Paul’s concern? Virtuous Christians are tempted sometimes to skip the discipline that developed their character and fake their virtue for profit. This may occur when they discover that their godly character opens doors and fast-tracks them past less pious folks (1 Timothy 6:5).
A pastor who has built his ministry on prayer may begin to pray longer in public and less in private as his church and preaching opportunities expand. A caregiver known for her servant’s heart may begin to selectively pick her moments of compassion. And a teacher renowned for his biblical wisdom may scale back his own study as he borrows liberally from the insights of others.
It’s failed thinking from our fallen nature that causes us to fake our best features. Smart people should always know the right answer, winsome people must wear a constant smile, and leaders must pick the battles they know they can win. And so we begin to identify with our image—an image that we’ll do anything to protect. (especially if we’re paid for it).
Paul responds that the path to true wealth lies in contentment. Unlike those “who long to be rich” and so “are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9), those who are content with who they are—and with what God has given them—possess great spiritual wealth. They will continue to cultivate the habits that earned their reputation and will turn down lucrative opportunities that, though innocent in their own right, would leech too much energy from their main mission in life.
More:
• Matthew 23:5-7, 25-28
• Philippians 4:11-13
• Hebrews 13:5
Next:
What admirable qualities helped you to land your current job or social status? How have you been serving God out of image, not reality?
Tiffany on September 26, 2009 at 7:15 am
We often recognize the traps of foolish and harmful desires and know deep within our soul such desires are not our own. If you cannot sleep at night nor feel quiet peace within, you have fallen into the trap. Sometimes we do so as a gesture of love for another person only to destroy the relationship. Be true to oneself and to the Lord. He will not judge you any more harshly if you admit your failures than He will rejoice with you each success.
Story on February 18, 2010 at 3:14 pm
“ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”
I love the Lord Jesus Christ’s approach to the adherents of the prosperity gospel:
…Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;
…and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”
His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”