(Through the Bible) 1 Timothy 5-6 — Chuck Smith

Paul’s Ministry to Timothy and the Church in Ephesus

Shall we turn now in our Bibles to 1st Timothy, chapter 5. Paul is a spiritual father to Timothy. Timothy's mentor. He looks upon him as a son. In fact, he calls him his son in the faith. Timothy has been left in Ephesus to oversee the church that Paul established there.

While he is in Ephesus, Paul wrote to him this epistle. And in this epistle, he seeks to instruct Timothy in things of the church. In a Bible doctrine class in seminary, you would have a subject known as Ecclesiology.

And they use the epistles of Thessalonians and Timothy for their Ecclesiology classes. For as Paul said in verse 15, how that he has written these things in order that he might know how he ought to behave in the house of the Lord.

Respecting Older and Younger Members of the Church

So, as we get to chapter 5, he deals first of all with Timothy's behavior towards the elders, men, the younger men, the elder women, and the younger women. Rebuke not an elder. Timothy was a younger man.

He told him, don't let any man despise thy youth. And here Paul is telling him not to rebuke an elder, but entreat him as a father. Looking upon him as a father and talk to him as you would a father. Entreat him as you would a father.

Older people, I think, naturally resent being told by younger people what they ought to do or being rebuked by younger people. So Paul said, don't rebuke them, entreat him as a father. And the younger men as brothers.

There is a right way and a wrong way of calling a person's attention to a failure in their walk. The wrong way engenders strife, resentment. The way I present it to a person can create an animosity. Be careful that we don't build walls and barriers by the way in which we seek to correct someone.

In dealing with the younger men, Paul said, entreat them like a brother. Treat the older men like fathers. The elder women as mothers. And the younger as sisters with all purity. Timothy was evidently unmarried.

Paul tells him in another place to flee youthful lust. Treat the younger women like sisters. And then honor widows that are widows indeed. And now Paul seeks to define for Timothy who are the true widows.

If any widow have children or the word nephew should be translated grandchildren. Let them learn first to show piety at home. And to requit their parents for that is good and acceptable before God. So the first responsibility and Paul will repeat this again.

For the welfare and the care of the widows lies upon the children and the grandchildren. Now the church did take upon itself the responsibility of caring for the needy within the body. It was a part of the ministry of the church.

You remember in Acts chapter 6 where the Grecians came to the apostles. And they complained that their widows were not being dealt with as bountifully as were the Hebrews at the administration of the church's welfare program.

And so there was a taking care of the widows by the church. But Paul seeks to define who are really qualified to come under the care of the church. If a widow had children or grandchildren then it was their primary and first responsibility to take care of their needs.

Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate. Now these are the ones that the church is to take care of. One who is a widow indeed and desolate. Who is trusting in God and is continuing in supplications and prayers night and day.

And that is really the qualification for those widows that were to be taken care of by the church. They really were given a ministry within the church. And the ministry within the church was the ministry of intercessory prayer.

And so they trusted in God and were continuing in supplications and prayers night and day for the church and the work of the church. How grateful we are for those prayers of the older women within the church.

I really feel a tremendous loss here at Calvary with the death of many of these older women who held the church up in prayer continually. We had a blessed group of older women. Many of them widows who have now gone to be with the Lord but who had this special ministry of prayer and supplication night and day.

Paul said in contrast to those, those that are living in pleasure are dead while they still live. I think that one of the most reprehensible things going is a dirty old woman. Now I think dirty old men are bad too.

But you know there is something about an older lady that there should have developed that softness and that beauty. And you see some beautiful older lady who is a grandmotherly type and then you hear her talk and she's using profanity and all.

And it's just something that doesn't set right. It's just not there. You know I think that you usually think of the older women as mothers. And the way that some of them talk or act is just really reprehensible.

And one of the saddest things is to see in Las Vegas these old ladies standing there at these one armed bandits just working those things all day long. With a cigarette hanging out of their mouth. I mean that just isn't in my mind the picture of what old ladies ought to be doing.

There is a beauty that comes to that older woman who has been walking with the Lord. There's almost a sacredness. I love to just sit down and share with those who have been walking with the Lord through the years.

And from their mouth there pours the richness of God's love and God's goodness through the years. Widows indeed. But those that are living for pleasure, those poor gals in Vegas, they're dead Paul said while they're still alive.

I mean they may still be breathing but man they're dead. And so is anybody who lives for pleasure. Spiritually dead. Though they still may be alive. And these things Paul said given charge that they may be blameless.

For if any provide not for his own. Especially those of his own house. He has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. That is if they do not take care of the members of their own family. If they do not take care of the needs of those of their own family.

Really they have denied the faith. Honor thy father and mother the scripture said. And you've denied the faith if you refuse to take care of your elderly parents. Grandparents. Now let not a widow be taken into the number under 60 years of age.

Having been the wife of one man. Now this special ministry for widows. It seemed to be a ministry that was set aside in the church. And it was something that was an honored position. It was more or less a lifetime commitment by the older women.

To really give themselves to the burden of prayer and the prayer ministry for the church. And there was almost an office for the widows of the ministry of prayer. They were supported by the church. They were put on the church's payroll.

And their duty was just to continue night and day in prayer and supplication for the church. And I'll tell you the church would be wise to hire the widows to do that. Be profited by that kind of a ministry.

A lot more than probably some of these young men that we put on staff. Who don't know quite yet what they're doing. If we had some widows that we put on staff just to pray for the church. A valuable asset.

Any of you widows looking for a job. So let the widow not be taken into the number. That is this special ministry group. Who are cared for by the church. Who are under 60 years of age. Having been the wife of one husband.

Who are well reported for their good works. These are their qualifications. They've got to have a good report. That they have been doing good works. If she has brought up children. If she has lodged strangers.

If she has washed the saints feet. If she has relieved the afflicted. If she has diligently followed every good work. Great qualifications. Then there was this special area of ministry for them. But Paul said the younger widows.

Don't take them into this special company. Refuse them. For when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ. They will marry. Having not damnation but condemnation. Because they have cast off their first faith.

So Paul says that the younger widows should marry. If they are brought into this special company and ministry within the church. And then should leave that. Fall in love and so forth. Having made that commitment to Christ.

Having put the hand to the plow. Turning back. They would feel condemned. Not good. It is better that they just go ahead and marry. And bear children and all. And not be brought into this special company.

Of ministering widows within the church. For if the church is taking care of them. They are apt to be just going around from house to house. Becoming idle. And tattlers and busy bodies. Speaking about things that they should not be speaking.

So better that they marry. Have the responsibility of bearing their children. Guiding their houses. And it then gives no occasion for the enemy. To speak reproachfully. For he said some are already turned aside.

After Satan. Now if any man or woman. That believes has widows. Let them take care of them. And not the church. Be charged. That they may take care of them. That are widows indeed. Let the elders. That rule well.

Honoring Elders and Correcting Sin

Be counted worthy of double honor. Especially those who labor. In word and doctrine. Now this indicates that there were other ministries for the older men. Besides just teaching the word. And teaching doctrine.

But these older men. These older saints. Accounted. Worthy of double honor. Again even as the older women are a tremendous blessing to the church. So those older men who have walked with the Lord for years.

Can be a tremendous blessing to the church. How I thank God for the ministry of the older men in this church. The blessing that they are. The ministry that they have. And they should be accounted worthy of double honor.

For the scripture says. You are not to muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. And the labor. Is worthy of his hire. So. The double honor to the older men. Them. And against an elder. Receive not an accusation.

Unless. There be at least two or three witnesses. Don't take one person's word for it. Let there be two or three witnesses. Them that sin. Rebuke before all. That others may also fear. Now I'm afraid that if the church practiced this open public rebuke of the sinners.

It would create no doubt of fear. But it might also create an empty church. You remember when the woman was brought to Jesus. Taken in the act of adultery. And they said. Our law says stone or what do you say.

And Jesus said. Let him was without sin cast the first stone. And he began to write on the ground. It doesn't tell us what. But I feel certain that he was writing the names of the individuals. And the sins they were guilty of.

And it says. They began to leave from the eldest to the youngest. Until there was none left. And if there was an open rebuke for sin. And we started going down naming everybody. And naming the sins. It would create fear.

I'm sure within the church. When I was a young man. There was a man that I admired very much. I admired his ministry. Dr. Claire Britton. He was a medical doctor. As well as a minister. And at a summer camp.

I listened to him one year. And he was saying that he could look into a young person's eyes. And the eyes are so revealing. They tell everything that the young person is guilty of. It's all there in their eyes.

Man, I was afraid to look at him. I didn't want him to see everything that was there. Now I charge thee, Paul said before God. And the Lord Jesus Christ. And the elect angels. That you observe these things.

Without preferring one before another. Do nothing by partiality. We are all of us children of God. And as such. Each of you are equally important to God. There are no second class heavenly citizens. To you.

I mean to Jesus. You are as important as anybody else. And it is the church's business. To follow the example of Christ. And to show love. Appreciation. Honor. Respect. And all to everyone without partiality.

We're not to say. Hey, he's got big bucks. You know, treat him good. And the church is guilty of sin before God. Paul is pretty straight with us. I charge you before God. And before Jesus Christ. And before the elect angels.

I mean, it's a heavy duty charge. Don't show partiality. Treat everyone alike. How opposite that is from the natural tendencies. If someone is a professional person. Oh, he's a doctor. Oh, he's a chief of police.

Oh, he's a lawyer. Oh, he's very wealthy. And there is that tendency to show little favors. And oh, why don't you come and sit at our table. James also wrote saying. Have no respect of persons. God is no respecter of persons.

And we're not to have respect of persons. James says. Hey, someone comes in and they're well dressed. And wearing diamonds and all. He says. Hey, come on down. Take this nice seat down here. Some guy comes in and rags you.

And says. Hey, sit in the corner, man. And he said. That's wrong. You see, in the eyes of the Lord. We are all the same. God doesn't look upon me with any greater favor. Or honor. Or anything than he looks upon you.

It is a tragic thing. That the church has set up certain men. That we say. Oh, well, you know. Look. How close he is to God. We are equally close to God. We are equally in God's favor. God is no respecter of man's persons.

And we are not to be either. So doing nothing by partiality. Now lay hands suddenly. On no man. What does that mean? Don't come up and say. You know. Lay hands on him suddenly. Shock him. No. He's talking now.

In the laying on of hands. It's for the ordaining of a person. For a ministry within the body of Christ. Let a person sort of prove themselves. Don't be quick to ordain people to a particular task. Oh.

Glad to see you here this morning. Here. Take a Sunday school book. We need a teacher for our 6th grade class. You know. A lot of churches feel that. You got to lock the person in to a job. You know. Get him in and involved.

You know. And hold him. And Paul said. Don't lay hands on. You know. It's a lot easier to get people in than it is to get them out. And. A tragic thing has taken. Has happened in the church in. In. Without really.

Learning. The individual. Ordaining them for a particular task. Or a particular job. And then you can rue that. Quickness of judgment. For a long time. So. Don't lay hands on any man suddenly. And neither be.

A partaker. Of other. Men's. Sins. Keep. Yourself. Pure. Hey. That's not just good exhortation for Timothy. That's good for all of us. Keep. Ourselves. Pure. Now. This is for Timothy. Drink no longer water.

But use a little wine. For thy stomach's sake. And thy oft. Infirmities. Most of the people. In that culture. And in that day. Did. Drink. Wine. The wine that they drank. Was a mixture. Of water. And wine.

Three parts. Of water. Two parts. Of wine. And. It was. As common. As water. As far as. A drink. Was concerned. Because. In. Many of the areas. The water. Was. Polluted. It. Be like. Someone. Going down.

To Mexico. And writing back. And say. Oh. Man. I've got. You know. The. Tourista. Montezuma's. Revenge. You know. And. And. You know. So. You would write to them. And say. Hey. You better drink. Cokes.

Or something. You know. Instead of that. Watered. You know. Drink. A little. Wine. For your stomach's sake. For this. Dysentery. And so forth. And. That's. Basically. What Paul is suggesting. To Timothy.

Timothy’s Illness and God’s Sovereignty in Healing

Now. This is. To me. Quite interesting. However. In that. I have. No doubt. That. Of those. Men. In the New Testament. Who. Had. The gifts. Of the Holy Spirit. In operation. In their life. The gift. Of miracles. Healings.

And all. Certainly. Paul. Ranks. With the chiefest. Of the apostles. In the ministry. Gifts. Of the Spirit. Paul. Had many miracles. Wrought. Through his ministry. Paul. Had. I'm sure. The gift. Of faith. The gift. Of working. Of miracles. Gifts. Of healing. Working. Through. His life.

Christian Conduct in the Workplace

And. Yet. Here. Is. His. Son. In the faith. Timothy. Now. When. Paul. Was. In Ephesus. They. Took. His. Aprons. And. His. Sweat. Bands. And. They. Laid. Them. On. The sick. People. And. Were. Healed. Why. Did. It. Paul. Just. Annoying. The. Handkerchief. And. Send. It. To. Timothy. And. Say. Sleep. On. This. Now. I. Am. Certain. That. Paul. Had. Prayed. For. Timothy's. Stomach. Disorders. And. There. Are. Indications. That. Timothy. Was. A very. Feeble. Person. And. And. Was. A. Sickly. Person. Yet. A. Companion. Of. Paul. The. Question. Why. Didn't. God. Heal. Timothy. Why. Was. He. Allowed. To. Be. Sickly. Why. Would. Paul. Write. Sort. Of. A. Medical. Physical. Prescription. For. His. Ailment. Rather. Than. Just. Pray. For. His. Healing. I. Am. Convinced. That. Paul. Did. Pray. For. Timothy's. Healing. But. Nonetheless. Timothy. Wasn't. Healed. I. Believe. The. Reason. Why. Is. That. We. Would. Not. Be. Caught. Up. In. That. Kind. Of. Heresy. That. Would. Say. Well. Brother. You're. Still. Sick. Because. There's. Some. Sin. In. Your. Life. Or. You're. Still. Sick. Because. You. Just. Don't. Have. Enough. Faith. Or. You're. Sick. Because. You. Have. This. Personal. Problem. Or. Something. Of. That. Nature. To. Keep. Us. From. That. Kind. Of. Foolish. Unscriptural. Speculation. We. Have. The. Case. Of. Timothy. A. Close. Associate. Companion. Son. Of. Paul. In. The. Faith. Who. Paul. Is. Giving. Some. Just. Pure. Advice. To. From. A. Physical. Level. For. His. Of. Sicknesses. Rather. Than. Having. A. Divine. Touch. Of. God. And. A. Healing. Upon. His. Body. God. Does. Not. Heal. In. Every. Case. And. In. Those. Cases. Where. God. Doesn't. Heal. God. Has. A. Purpose. For. Not. Healing. It. Is. Not. The. Lack. Of. Faith. It. Is. Not. Something. Wrong. In. The. Life. Of. The. Individual. There. Something. Within. Those. Eternal. Purposes. Of. God. That. We. Cannot. Do. Not. And. Will. Not. Understand. And. I. Am. Thoroughly. Opposed. To. That. Kind. Of. Teaching. That. You. Follow. This. Formula. You. Will. Be. Healed. And. Then. That. Person. Who. Has. This. Chronic. Illness. Feels. Constantly. Guilty. There's. Something. Wrong. With. Me. Something. Wrong. With. Relationship. With. God. Why. Aren't. I. Healed. You. Know. What's. Wrong. With. Me. And. Actually. You. Are. Kicking. A. Person. When. They. Are. Down. If. You. An. Interesting. Scripture. Concerning. Jesus. That. We do. Not. Understand. In. Our. Modern. Culture. Today. It's. Said. Concerning. Jesus. A. Bruised. Read. He. Not. Break. To. Put. That. Into. A. Modern. Vernacular. Would. Be. He. Would. Not. Kick. A. Man. Who. Is. Down. That's. What's. Meant. By. A. Bruised. Read. He. Not. Break. He. Wouldn't. Kick. A. Man. When. He's. Down. Paul. Himself. Had. An. Affliction. Which. He. Prayed. Three. Times. That. God. Would. Deliver. Him. From. It. When. God. Finally. Answered. But. Not. By. Delivering. Him. But. By. Just. Giving. Him. The. Grace. To. Endure. It. Declaring. My. Grace. Is. Sufficient. For. You. My. Strength. Will. Be. Made. Perfect. In. Your. Weakness. So. Let. Us. Not. Be. Guilty. Of. Judging. Wrongly. Or. Of. Laying. Some. Heavy. Burden. Upon. Someone. Who. Is. Already. Burdened. Because. Of. Their. Illnesses. Because. Their. Weaknesses. Let. Us. Just. Recognize. That. God. Doesn't. Heal. In. Every. Case. Now. God. Does. Heal. In. Some. Cases. He. Doesn't. Heal. In. Other. Cases. Why. Heals. Some. And. Does. Not. Heal. Others. Is. Totally. Bound. Up. In. The. Sovereignty. Of. God. As. The. Holy. Spirit. Divides. To. Each. Man. Severally. As. He. Wills. Of. The. Gifts. Of. The. Spirit. So. Paul. Is. Encouraging. Timothy. For. This. Stomach. Problem. Just. Drink. A. Little. Wine. Don't. Drink. That. Water. Anymore. You. Know. That's. Dangerous. Stuff. I. Understand. When. Come. To. The. United. States. From. Mexico. They. Always. Warned. Them. Now. Don't. Drink. The. Water. Is. Because. We. Have. Different. Amoebas. In. Believe. Now. Said. Some. Men's. Sins. Are. Open. Beforehand. Going. Before. To. Judgment. And. Some. Men. They. Follow. After. Likewise. Also. The. Good. Works. Of. Manifest. Beforehand. And. They. That. Are. Otherwise. Cannot. Be. Hit. In. Other. Words. Before. You. Meet. The. Person. Often. You. Hear. About. Them. And. Their. Sins. Have. Them. People. Have. Told. You. Oh. Hey. He's. Done. This. And. He's. Done. That. And. All. Before. He. Ever. Comes. And. You. Meet. Him. Or. He. And. Same. Thing. With. The. Person's. Good. Works. They. Also. Go. Before. Them. Or. You. Know. People. Have. Shared. With. You. All. He's. Really. You. Know. Outstanding. In. This. That. Or. The. Other. And. And. You. Hear. Them. Before. You. Meet. Them. Their. Works. Precede. Them. Their. Manifest. Beforehand. Cannot. Be. Hit. Now. Paul. Turns. To. The. Subject. Servants. In. Chapter. Six. Let. As. Many. Servants. As. Are. Under. The. Yoke. That. Is. To. A. Master. Count. Their. Own. Masters. Worthy. Of. All. Honor. Now. Is. Actually. The. Word. Slave. And. In. That. Day. Slavery. Was. A. Very. Common. Practice. And. Paul. Said. If. You. Are. A. Slave. Then. Count. Your. Master. Worthy. Of. All. Honor. Or. Respect. That. The. Name. Of. God. And. His. Doctrine. Be. Not. Blasphemed. In. Our. Day. And. Age. It. Is. So. Important. For. Us. As. Christians. To. Above. Reproach. In. Work. And. In. Our. Work. Habits. Because. People. Are. Expecting. More. From. You. As. A. Christian. Than. They. Expect. From. A. Normal. Person. It. May. Be. That. Everyone. Is. Fudging. On. His. Break. Time. And. Is. You. Know. Taking. A. Half. Hour. For. Break. When. Fifteen. Minutes. Is. Allowed. If. You're. A. You. Should. Take. Fifteen. Minutes. Though. The. Others. Are. Taking. A. Half. Hour. Now. If. The. Other. Is. So. You're. Taking. A. Half. Hour. And. The. Others. Are. Fifteen. Minutes. Yeah. Well. You. Know. I'm. A. Christian. All. They. Say. Hey. Yeah. Look. You. Know. Supposed. To. Be. A. Christian. Look. At. That. And. Many. Times. By. Our. Actions. And. By. Our. Attitudes. We. Cause. The. Name. Of. Jesus. To. Be. Blasphemed. And. That's. Tragic. That. Was. The. Thing. That. Nathan. Nailed. David. With. After. David's. Experience. With. Bathsheba. He. Has. Said. To. David. David. You've. Caused. The. Enemies. Of. God. To. Blaspheme. You. Give. An. Occasion. To. The. Enemies. Of. God. To. Lay. Blame. Against. Christianity. Or. Against. Jesus. Christ. Because. Of. Your. Slovenness. More. Is. Expected. Of. You. Because. You. Are. A. Christian. Produce. More. Paul. Is. Saying. If. You. Have. Master. Who. A. Believer. Then. Don't. Despise. Them. Because. That. They. Are. Your. Brothers. But. Rather. Do. Service. To. Them. Because. They. Are. Faithful. And. Beloved. Partakers. Of. Same. Benefit. These. Things. Paul. Said. Teach. And. Exhort. So. Basically. The. Servant. Was. As. A. Christian. To. Be. Exemplary. In. His. Service. Whether. He. Had. Unbelieving. Or. A. Believing. Master. Now. If. He. Had. A. Believing. Master. He. May. Sort. Of. Resent. The. Fact. That. He. Still. Is. Requiring. This. Of. Me. After. All. We're. Brothers. In. Christ. And. We. Are. Believers. You. Know. But. Paul. Is. Just. Exhorting. Them. To. Have. The. Respect. And. Honor. Of. Their. Masters. And. If. Any. Man. Teach. Otherwise. And. Does. Not. Consent. To. Wholesome. Words. Even. The. Words. Of. Our. Lord. Jesus. Christ. And. To. The. Doctrine. Which. Is. According. To. Godliness. Paul. Is. Mystery. Godliness. Remember. Last. Sunday's. Message. God. Was. Manifest. In. The. Flesh. And. All. Now. Again. If. Someone. Teaches. Otherwise. And. Does. Not. Consent. To. The. Wholesome. Words. Even. Words. Of. Our. Lord. Jesus. Christ. And. To. The. Doctrine. Which. Is. According. To. Godliness. And. That's. The. Purpose. That. We. Might. Be. Like. God. That. We. Might. Be. Godly. In. Our. Actions. That. Person. Who. Is. Teaching. Otherwise. Is. Proud. He. Knows. Nothing. But. Doting. About. Questions. And. Strife. Of. Words. Whereof. Comes. Envy. Strife. Railings. And. Evil. Surmisings. The. Perverse. Disputings. Of. Men. Of. Corrupt. Minds. And. Destitute. Of. The. Truth. And. What. Is. Their. Main. Thesis. Supposing. That. Godliness. Is. Way. To. Gain. Paul. Said. This. Is. One. Of. The. Worst. Heresies. Withdraw. Yourself. From. Such. A. Person. You. See. Here. Is. A. Slave. Who. Is. Saying. Hey. I. A. Godly. Master. So. You. Know. He. Ought. To. Make. It. Easier. On. Me. It's. A. Way. For. Me. To. Gain. Here. Is. A. Master. Is. Saying. Oh. I. Have. A. Godly. Servant. You. Know. I. Can. Trust. Him. And. I. Can. Put. Him. In. A. Position. Of. Trust. Because. He. Is. Godly. I. Can. Want. Be. Rich. If. Want. To. Drive. A. Cadillac. Just. Receive. The. Lord. And. Have. Enough. Faith. Go. Out. In. Faith. Put. The. Down. Payment. Put. A. Thing. Put. A. Deposit. On. It. You. Know. Believe. And. Trust. The. Lord. To. Make. The. Payments. Godliness. Is. A. Way. For. Prosperity. God. Wants. You. Have. The. Best. You're. The. King's. Kids. And. God. Wants. You. To. Live. Like. The. King's. Kids. And. Go. Out. And. Go. For. It. You. Know. Indulge. Lust. God. Wants. You. Have. Everything. Godliness. Is. A. Way. To. Gain. Perverse. Disputings. Of. Men. Of. Corrupt. Minds. They're. Destituted. The. Truth. From. Such. Withdraw. Yourself. The. Truth. Godliness. With. Contentment. That's. Great. Gain. That's. Really. Being. Rich. The. Person. Who. Never. Has. Enough. Who. Is. Always. Wanting. More. Is. Not. Really. Rich. I. Know. Man. Who. Has. Over. A. Hundred. And. Fifty. Million. Dollars. Over. A. Hundred. Million. Deposited. In. Certificates. Of. Deposit. In. The. Bank. He. Keeps. That. For. The. Acquisition. Of. New. Breweries. That. Might. Come. On. The. Market. This. Man. Works. Sixteen. Hours. A. Day. Sixteen. To. Eighteen. Hours. A. Day. Seven. Days. A. Week. Never. Takes. A. Day. Off. Never. Takes. A. Vacation. Drives. Himself.

He's. Not. Rich. He's. Poor. That's. Not. Really. Being. Rich. What. Is. Really. Rich. A. Man. Who. Is. Godly. And. Content. A. Man. Who. Doesn't. Have. A. Need. That's. The. Man. Who. Is. Rich. He's. Got. Everything. He. Wants. That's. Real. Riches. That. Contentment. With. What. Have. And. So. Paul. Speaks. About. Contentment. He. Said. We. Brought. Nothing. Into. This. World. And. It. Is. Certain. We're. Not. Going. To. Carry. Anything. Out. When. And. Therefore. Having. Food. And. Raymond. Let. Us. Therewith. Be. Content. How. Many. People. Have. Brought. Themselves. Into. Really. Great. Poverty. Because. They're. Never. Satisfied. With. What. They. Have. Always. Wanting. Something. More. And. That. Discontentment. Has. Brought. Many. People. To. Bankruptcy. Having. Food. And. Raymond. Be. Content. You. Have. Food. You. Have. Clothes. Praise. The Lord. Be. Content. For. They. That. Will. Be. Rich. If. This. Is. Your. Goal. If. This. Is. Your. Drive. If. This. Is. Your. Purpose. In. Life. They. That. Will. Be. Rich. Will. Fall. Into. Temptations. And. Snare. And. Into. Many. Foolish. And. Hurtful. Lust. Or. Desires. Which. Drown. Men. In. Destruction. And. Prediction. The. Wealthy. Person. Has. Far. Many. More. Temptations. Than. Have. Because. Of. His. Wealth. The. Opportunities. Are. There. Of. Doing. So. Many. More. Things. I. Don't. Have. To. Worry. About. A. Lot. Of. Things. Because. I. Don't. The. Money. To. Do. Them. I'm. Not. Tempted. By. Them. I. Can't. Afford. Them. But. A. Wealthy. Person. Runs. Into. All. Kinds. Of. Temptations. That. You. Can. Drown. In. In. Destruction. For. The. Love. Of. Money. Is. The. Root. Of. All. Evil. Notice. He. Does. Not. Say. Money. Is. The. Root. Of. All. Evil. And. You've. Often. Heard. It. Quoted. That. Way. Haven't. You. That's. Not. What. He. Says. Money. Is. Not. Evil. It's. Not. Good. It. All. Depends. On. Your. Attitude. Towards. Money. And. Love. Of. Money. Is. The. Root. Of. All. Evil. James. Said. From. Once. Comes. The. Fightings. And. The. Wars. Does. It. Come. From. Man's. Own. Lust. The. Desires. Love. Money. The. Greed. Behind. All. Of. The. Wars. And. Strivings. And. Jealousies. And. All. Within. The. World. The. Love. Of. Money. The. Root. Of. All. Evil. And. You. Can. Take. The. Evil. And. You. Can. Trace. It. All. Back. And. It. Comes. Back. To. Greed. The. Love. Of. Money. And. The. World. Is. In. Mess. That. It. Is. Today. Because. Of. Greed. It. Is. Not. That. We. Are. Running. Out. Of. Natural. Resources. It. Isn't. That. The. World. Isn't. Big. Enough. To. Accommodate. The. Population. It. Isn't. That. We. Could. Not. Feed. Everybody. The. Problem. With. The. World. Is. How. Men. Are. Spending. The. Money. Last. Year. Throughout. The. World. There. Was. Over. One. Trillion. Dollars. Spent. For. The. Defense. Budgets. In. The. Nations. Of. The. World. For. Buying. War. Equipment. To. Destroy. Other. Men. Over. One. Trillion. Dollars. Had. We. Spent. One. Trillion. Dollars. Last. Year. In. Agricultural. Development. There. Would. Not. Be. A. Single. Hungry. Person. On. The. Face. Of. The. Earth. Instead. Of. The. Fact. That. Two. Thirds. Of. The. World. Are. Living. On. Starvation. Diets. Tonight. Not. Enough. Food. It. Isn't. That. We. Can't. Produce. Enough. Food. It. Isn't. That. There. Isn't. Enough.

It's not enough. A. A. It's. A. It's. The greed of man. It's. More profitable. To. Make. Bombs. And. To. Plant. Corn. And so the greed of man. The love of money. That's the. Root. Of the evil. If it weren't for the love of money we would have no drug problems today.

What's behind the drug. Problem what's behind. All of this. Drug. Of smuggling and so forth. What's behind it all? The love of money. If we did not have the love of money, there would be no prostitution today.

Were it not for the love of money, think of how many evils would be eliminated from our earth. The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Pursuing Righteousness Rather Than Wealth

An interesting observation because the lie that we believe is just the opposite. The common deception is, if I just had enough money, I would be happy. Paul is saying that these who have achieved turning from the truth, erring from the truth, have brought themselves into great sorrows.

And interestingly enough, the most wealthy men I know are also at the same time, the most miserable men that I know. Interesting, isn't it? I have them invite me out to lunch. They pour out their stories of woe, misery, loneliness.

One fellow was sharing with me how he didn't know if anybody truly loved him or not. All of these women throwing themselves at him, but he said, I don't know if they really love me or not. He's married three of them so far, and they've all taken him for a pretty good ride.

And now he's in a real dilemma. Since the last one left and made out pretty well in the courts, there's a lot of others that are thinking, my, I'd like to retire too, you know. Live with a guy for six months and retire, you know.

He said, I don't know if they really love me or not. Miserable, doesn't know true love. How can I know if they really love me? Sad, isn't it? Guy's so wealthy, he doesn't know if anybody really loves him or not.

Are they just after him for his bucks? Are they friendly just because he has bucks? Are they hoping to cash in on his bankroll? I have a cousin who's so rich, as far as money goes, the poor fella is over in the Philippines somewhere with a butterfly net chasing butterflies through the jungles.

That's how he spends his life, chasing butterflies through the jungles. Worth millions of dollars. He has never worked a day in his life, but life is a bore, life is a drag. The only excitement he has is chasing butterflies.

Next to him, I'm rich, but thou, oh man of God, flee these things. Flee what? The love of money. Follow after righteousness. Pursue after righteousness. Don't pursue after wealth, after being rich. Pursue rather after righteousness, godliness.

There's that word again. Faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold to eternal life. Whereunto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

So it all comes down to what is the center of your life. If money, the desire for money, the desire for gain is at the center of your life, then you're going to be a miserable person. If God is at the center of your life, you're going to be rich.

Your life is going to be blessed. Your life is going to be full. So put God at the center of your life. Put righteousness at the center of your life. Godliness at the center of your life that you might really be a rich person.

Enjoy the true riches, the eternal riches. Because one of the tragic things about my poor cousin is the only one he has to leave his money to is a idiot cousin, his daughter. It's tragic, isn't it? But she's already got so many millions, you know, but she lives in a care home in Ojai.

She's not able to take care of herself. Her grandmother died recently and left her another $7 million. But it's all under trusteeship while she just sits there in the home and puts peanut butter on Ritz crackers.

That's tragic, isn't it? I went to visit her and she said, oh, I have this special recipe. I want to fix for you, you know, this special recipe. She brings out all these Ritz crackers with peanut butter.

Oh, she made this up herself, you know. Poor child, my heart goes out to her. I really, my heart does go out to her. I wouldn't trade places with her for anything. With all of the bucks that she has. Or my other cousin, I wouldn't trade with him with anything.

With all of the bucks he has, I wouldn't want to be running around some jungle in the Philippines tonight, you know, chasing butterflies. God is the center of your life. It's a life that is content. A life that is happy.

A life that is rich. A life that is full. I give you charge, He said, in the sight of God who makes all things alive. And before Jesus Christ who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. Pilate said, art thou a king then?

And Jesus said, to this end was I born and for this cause I came into the world. A good confession before Pontius Pilate. So this is going to be heavy, heavy duty charge. I charge you before God who makes all things alive before Jesus Christ that you keep this commandment without spot.

Unrebukeable until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, he gave them this commandment. What was it? To make God the center of your life. To seek after righteousness and godliness. I charge you before God.

Do this until the Lord comes again. Keep Him at the center of your heart and life. What did Jesus say about this? He said, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be taken care of.

God as the Vertical Axis of Life

You see, man's life exists on two planes. The vertical and the horizontal. The vertical plane is your relationship with God and that is the axis upon which your life revolves. If your relationship with God is out of kilter, then your relationship with your fellow man is going to be out of kilter, out of balance.

And this is the problem in our world today. People are trying to live a well-balanced life and they are struggling and striving to have a well-balanced life, to have a well-balanced relationship with others.

And they're fighting constantly to find this balance in relationships. Spending millions going to the psychologist and psychiatrist trying to find the balance. The reason why the life is out of balance, reason why your relationships are out of balance is that your relationship with God is out of balance.

The vertical axis of your life is off-center. Now, Paul is giving to Timothy fantastic advice. Put God at the center of your life. Godliness, righteousness. Put these things at the center of your being.

I charge you before God, do this until Jesus comes. Because if the center of your life is right, if your relationship with God is right, then you will be a very rich person because it will affect every other relationship in your life.

They will all be right if your relationship with God is right. You'll have a right relationship with the devil. You'll defeat him every time you meet him because your relationship with God is right. You'll have a right relationship with your possessions.

For you will know that they are really gods and only entrusted to you. And you'll use them wisely. You'll have a right relationship with your fellow men. Sharing, loving, giving. God at the center. The vertical axis.

The horizontal automatically falls into place. You cannot correct the horizontal axis by working on the horizontal. I mean, you can't correct the horizontal plane by working on the horizontal plane. I'm going to work on this relationship.

While you're working on this relationship, you're messing up five more. Spending too much time trying to get this relationship right and everything else is going wrong. So you finally get this one right and you turn around and oh man, everybody else, oh, help.

So you grab ahold of another. I'm going to work on this relationship. While you're getting that one corrected, then others go out of balance. And so you spend your whole life trying to get balanced here.

When in reality you need to come back to the vertical axis, get your relationship with God. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be taken care of. They'll all be added to you.