Couples in Christ

Guarding the Treasure – Part 1, INNER STRENGTH
Lesson 6.1
1 Timothy 6:1-10
Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Warm-up

What is true treasure? Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (Mat. 6:21). At the end of this book Paul told Timothy, “guard what has been entrusted to you” (6:20). What is it you are to guard; what has God entrusted to you?

► Take a minute before going further and list three things that are precious to you.

The Word – 1 Timothy 6:1-10 (NASB) (Emphasis by Kinnoin)

1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

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.

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 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 griefs.

Digging In

When to Yield (vs. 1-2)

I like the comic strip “Ziggy” where he approaches a busy intersection and sees a traffic sign saying “Yield”. The next frame shows him lying on his back next to the sign with his arms outstretched! Maybe this is the way we should respond to God, taking Him literally at His word. But what about yielding to others? Do you know when to yield to authority, to allow others to control you?

Disrespect is a serious matter. It seems to penetrate into who a person is on the inside. If my choice to submit to authority is based solely on my evaluation of its legitimacy I essentially have placed myself above the authority I reject. Mat. 5:22 and Eph. 4:26 suggest that only God has the right to judge a person’s character and motive.

What if I were to approach God this way? If I respect Him am I obligated to obey Him even when I don’t agree with Him? Think of Him as your King. Here is some helpful Biblical instruction from Ecc. 8 (NASB),

¹ Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam.

² I say, "Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God.

³ "Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases."

⁴ Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, "What are you doing?"

What about human authority; am I obligated to obey those whose rule contradicts God’s law? Read Romans 13:1-5,

¹ Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.

² Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

³ For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

⁴ for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

⁵ Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

► If you are under authority, regard it as under God’s control – honor it. If your superiors are believers, be respectful; serve them, because those who benefit are fellow believers. Hold to this principle (“teach and preach”).

Enemy Attack (vs. 3-5)

Some people, even believers, seem determined to contradict God’s truth (“sound words”); trying to convince others they are correct. I’ve noticed that in most cases the squabble is over incidental matters (“controversial questions”) that are best addressed, if at all, by mature believers. Spiritual discernment comes from pursuing a close walk with the Lord along with much time spent in His word and in prayer. Well meaning but immature believers can cause disharmony in the church. And yes, sometimes enemy attacks come from within the Body of Christ.

I’m been known to choose my words carefully, so these verses call me to attention. We’re told that “disputes about words” can lead to “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction”. Those who cause this to happen are labeled as “men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth” – whoa, what a caution!

► A person who insists on being “Biblically correct” can also cause division and dissention in the church. To have to prove that you are correct when it is controversial (and not necessarily unbiblical) is an error in thinking. It promotes your theology as better than others’. You can subtly adopt the thought that “godliness is a means of gain”. According to these verses it is actually the opposite, and hurts the cause of Christ. Be careful!

There is a proper place for tolerance in non-essential matters, and especially in the interpretation of scripture. Humility MUST undergird your posture as you interact with other believers.

Contentment On Guard (vs. 6-8)

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment”. This is in fact when contentment is present, when you know God is pleased with His work in you and through you (Phil. 2:13). And you cannot be content without humility. When God’s Spirit controls you you’ll have peace and be content.

Paul writes in Phil. 4:11-12, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need”.

Are you content with what God has provided for you? Solomon, applying God’s wisdom, remarked, “In the day of prosperity by happy, but in the day of adversity consider – God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecc. 7:14). When Job’s wife complained about their losses he said, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10 NASB)

► There is no “self-made man” – “We’ve have brought nothing into this world, so we cannot take anything out of it either”. Be content with simple, basic needs being met – food, clothing (see Mat. 6:25-34).

Self-Inflicted Wound (money) (vs. 9-10)

Wanting wealth brings “temptation and a snare” (Gal. 5:1, 2 Tim. 2:26) and “many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim. 6:9).

Loving money can lead to what I’ll call “spiritual suicide” – “piercing yourself” over and over. Heb. 13:5 says, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have…”. Ps. 62:10 says, “Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.”

► The love of money is one of Satan’s most efficient strategies, involving no one but yourself! The solution: “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Prov. 11:25 NASB)

Group Discussion

1. What to you is the key phrase in Romans 13:1-5 regarding submission to human authority?

(See “When to Yield” teaching notes for verses 1 – 2.)

2. What would you say differentiates “sound words” from “different doctrines”? (v. 3)

Is this a black and white matter, without room for discussion?

3. Contentment with what God provides is crucial to having His peace.

What is it about money that challenges this truth? (vs. 6 – 10)

NEXT WEEK: Guarding the Treasure – Part 2, POSTING GUARD – 1 Timothy 6:11-21

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