1 Timothy 6:2 Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
In a very materialistic world, we face challenges whether we are followers of Jesus or not. Society tries to dictate what we think, and how we think about it, and then messes with the results. This is the Way of the World, but not the way of those of us who call Jesus Savior and Lord. In fact, we should distance ourselves from the way of thinking offered by this world and draw close to the Word of God and allow it to be The Right Way for us. The end result of following the Way of the World will be emptiness and we will be left wanting. So why do those who know and realize the saving faith and abundant life offered by Jesus dabble and then immerse themselves in the world? Usually, it is because of Ignorance. Yep. I said it!! We have an unlimited amount of knowledge that is daily forced on us and we need to learn to discern between the good and the bad. When the reality for those who have been born again offers one "pure" source of "wisdom" and that is the Word of God.
In the above scriptures, Paul encourages Timothy to teach truth and encourages everyone to obey it. Paul warns of those who will contradict these teachings, but they are the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, and the Living Word of God. So Paul has no doubt in the words they are teaching and further calls those who teach something else arrogant and that they lack understanding. This is Paul's way of saying "Bless their hearts." In Paul's desire to get to the point of what they are teaching he doesn't mince words, but just says there is a right way and a wrong way and compels Timothy to keep teaching The Right Way! Paul also exposes the intent of those who are not teaching the right way and that intent is for them to become wealthy. When they stir up arguments about what the main thing is they cause distractions from the true intent of the followers of The Way, and that intent is souls saved. Remember, Paul is the guy who wrote "Be redeeming the time, because the days are evil." So Paul doesn't quibble and immerse himself in meaningless discussions that are "off point" and tells Timothy to do the same.
Paul uses a very strong word in his evaluation of the people Timothy is dealing with when he says "These people always cause trouble." ALWAYS is the indicting word of finality in the explanation of the purpose of these people who distract them from their main purpose. To emphasize the point Paul says this in verse 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. True Godliness is something these people needed to replace their worldly tainted way of looking at life, and the Christian life. We have the same things happening today as worldliness has preached a new wealth-induced way of looking at the Christian life. Wealth in itself is not bad, but the use of it to get power is very bad. Paul gives no illusions about where "true" wealth is found and it is found in Godliness.
Of course, Paul cannot stop there and continues on to nail the point down in the following verses. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Once again, having wealth is not the problem. The worldly effect on our lives is the problem and if wealth is our goal, then priorities need to change and then God can take that wealth and use it for His good.
When I surrendered to the ministry I made a choice that the drive to become rich was not to be in my thinking, and that has been a real thing as I am not wealthy at all in earthly riches. Oh, I could have taken the "drive" that God put in my life and used it to get rich, and yes, I probably would have been rich in money, but when I was called to this life of ministry my priorities were much different than needing to have all the money I could get. My life has been centered on sharing the gospel and leading others to do the same as I equip the church. To me, this was The Right Way. At times I am lured to think differently, but the call on my life doesn't quit at a point of crisis. I just keep on going like the Energizer Bunny, as God is my power source.
The Right Way is not always the easy way, but it is God's way and that must suffice for all of us who have encountered this saving faith in Jesus Christ. We don't just live "some way", but we live "The Right Way" and that is the course we must continue on. No matter what. Jesus said it this way in John 10:10 (NLT) .10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren