6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain. 7 For we brought
nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. 8 But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with these. 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 of all kinds of evil, and by craving
it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
~ 1 Timothy 6:6-10 HCS
We can see here that Paul speaking plainly here when he says, “godliness
with contentment is great gain.” Apostle Paul is denying godliness to be in any
sense a πορισμός, (means of gain). To insure that no one would misunderstand
what he was saying, he explained how much godliness truly gives success which
leads Apostle Paul to a paint a picture that was meaningful to them, “pierced
themselves with many pains” at the end of verse 10. Godliness is the very actuality
in which these people have so errantly perverted. Paul is expressing that the
love of money defines a person who places their heart on the possession of
money and earthly treasures thereby ignoring the first commandment 10
Commandments to love God. Inasmuch as this is a statement of unrighteous
self-love in direct opposition to love God not to mention the violation of the
inherently related second great commandment found in Matthew 22:39, to love
your neighbors as you love yourself.
“We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.”
(Verse 7) So why is it that we (me included) find ourselves wanting more? We
“need” the latest iPhone or tablet, more clothes, better car, etc., etc., etc.
Nothing, absolutely nothing we gain in this world will be of any use to us in
Heaven! So why do we need it? Do we really need to have a huge savings to leave
to our children or would not that money better used to feed and clothe the
poor? Do we really need two homes or would that money find better use to house
the homeless? Do we really want to be important and wealthy here in this sinful
mixed up world or be closer to Christ? I know the temptation is there and it is
so hard to resist but we can if we spend time with our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ every day! We love our families and want the give them the very best we
can but is that more important than securing their future with our Father in
Heaven?
35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test
Him: 36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" 37 He
said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important commandment.
39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the
Prophets depend on these two commandments." ~ Matthew 22:35-40 HCS
“All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Jesus words not mine. You have to make a choice, that is what free will is all
about.
19 "Don't collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't
break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
~ Matthew 6:19-21 HCS
No comments:
Post a Comment