Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 1 Tim 6.3 and following. Indeed, Paul recalls: “But you…!” The man of God – and every child of God – must constantly walk against the tide here on earth. He flees from what the world loves and seeks: money and the things that money provides (1 Tim 6:6-10). He pursues what pleases the Lord: justice, piety, faith, love, patience, meekness. He awaits His appearance, that time when everything will be manifested.
The apostle does not confuse “those who are rich” with “those who want to become rich.” But he projects the light of eternity onto the goods of the “present century”. The object of our trust is not the gifts, but the One who gives; the real gain is piety; true riches, good works; the real treasure, good foundations for the future. Yes, let us know how to discern and grasp “what is really life…” Run… Continue… Fighting… Seized… did we find in our reading. Verset 20 makes one last particularly solemn imperative: “O Timothy, keep what has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:8-14). This is the final exhortation,in which we invite each of our young readers to replace Timothy’s name with their own name. These verses are like a summary of the purpose of the entire epistle. “I command you,” said the apostle. Timothy had received an order from him and had to comply with it. Being established to represent the apostle in his absence, he had to ordain himself. What Paul commanded Timothy, he did most solemnly before the Creator God, whom he invoked as the One who brought everything into existence when there were still none of his works, and who made himself known to tiny beings like us by an act that denotes all his good pleasure in men. Is this not a sovereign motive for obedience? But what the apostle commands, he also did “before Christ Jesus” who became man, “who made the beautiful confession before Pontius Pilate.” He could be indifferent to the Roman governor that Jesus was king of the Jews and he proves it on the one hand by saying “Am I a Jew?” on the other by inscribed: “Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews” on the sign of the cross.
This beautiful confession, as we have seen, the Lord could not fail to make it without being unfaithful to the truth to which He had come to bear witness in this world, He who had come here on earth to make it known. His royalty was part of it and if he had hesitated for a moment before this confession, he could no longer have added: “Whoever is of the truth listens to my voice”. The confession that he was king was therefore intimately linked to the fact that he had come into the world to bear witness to the truth.
Timothy’s beautiful confession in front of many Christian witnesses who could certify it was not life-threatening. Nor was she the testimony to the truth; to the whole truth. It was the beautiful confession of the immense blessings of fidelity,blessings grasped by Timothy in the Christian witness to which he now devoted his career. Christ’s beautiful confession before Pontius Pilate was the testimony to the truth of which the present and future kingship of Christ, far more important than Jewish kingship, was a part, for “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Nothing could distract the Lord from the confession of the whole truth, not even death. But what an immense privilege for Timothy to be associated as Confessor with the Lord Jesus, one confessing to having grasped a goal that nothing could snatch from him, the other confessing the whole truth that death itself could not make him abandon!
Then the apostle ordered Timothy to “keep this commandment,” that is, what he had just commanded him: “Flee, continue, fight, seize.” He was placed as carrying out these things before faithful witnesses and before the world. He had to keep them, “spotless and irreprehensible.” On the other hand, the apostle says further:”O Timothy, keep what has been entrusted to you.” This is the summary of the contents of the entire epistle. The apostle had already said, but about a limited part of Timothy’s mission, that is, his conduct towards the elders: “Keep these things without preference.” As for the command, Timothy was to keep it “spotless,” without any alteration; and “irreprehensible”, without anyone having any opportunity to take him back or accuse him of not keeping the deposit entrusted to him; but above all for the purpose of receiving “the approval of our Lord Jesus Christ at his appearance.” It is always spoken of the appearance and not of the coming of the Lord, when it comes to responsibility in service. This is why it can be spoken of “loving his appearance” which is however always accompanied by the “exercise of vengeance” on the world (2 Thess 1. 8). The reason for this is that if the Lord’s “coming” is the “day of grace,” His appearance is the day of the crowns, the reward of faithfulness, for Christ’s servants. This apparition will be shown in its own time by the Blessed and only Sovereign, already called the “Blessed God” in 1 Tim 1. 11. Then the only Sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords, will manifest this glory. The apostle speaks ofGod, without a doubt, but it is impossible to separate one of the divine lordships from the other. For God is all this when He “shows” the appearance of Christ; Christ will be all this, when he appears as King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the second time that supreme praise has risen before God in eternal places. In the first case, as a result of the coming into this world of Christ man as Savior; and in the second case, following his appearance as Lord and victorious man.
Command those who are rich in the present century, that they not be haughty and that they do not put their trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the God who gives us all things richly to enjoy it; that they do good; that they be rich in good works; let them be quick to give, liberals, amassing as a treasure a good foundation for the future, so that they grasp what is really life.
There is still an ordinance to be added about those whom God favors the goods of this world among His own. This is their position “in the present century”, a position that is in contrast to that of the century to come. This position should not exalt them in their own eyes, for the pride of wealth is one of the most frequent vices among men. Christians must not allow themselves to be led to rely on the uncertainty of wealth that can collapse in a moment; but they must trust in the One who has richly favored them by giving them the enjoyment of these things. Let them use their wealth to do good,let it consist ofriches of good works, of promptness to give, of liberality. This is the purpose of the wealth that is dispensed to them; it must develop in their witness virtues that could only be shown where God gives earthly goods.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Teachings that do not conform to piety:
- Exhortations relating to piety
1 Tim 6:3,11 If anyone teaches false doctrines, and does not cling to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine that is according to piety, 11 For you, man of God, flee these things, and seek justice, piety, faith, charity, patience, meekness. Tit 2:12 It teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live in the present century according to wisdom, justice and piety, 2 Pet 3:11 Since therefore all these things must dissolve, what must not be the holiness of your conduct and your piety,
- Spiritual poverty, lack of truth
Ps 74:9 We no longer see our signs; There is no longer a prophet, and none of us who knows until when… Ezekiel 7:26 Misfortune upon misfortune happens, A noise succeeds a noise; They ask the prophets for visions; The priests no longer know the law, the elders no longer have counsel. Lk 15:14 When he had spent everything, a great famine occurred in this land, and he began to find himself in need. 1 Tim 6:5 the vain discussions of men who are corrupt of understanding, deprived of the truth, and believing that piety is a source of gain.
- Piety, a source of gain
Is 65:22 They will not build houses for another to inhabit, They will not plant vines for another to eat the fruit; For the days of my people will be like the days of the trees, and my elect will enjoy the work of their hands. 1 Tim 4:8 Practice piety; for bodily exercise is useful to few things, while piety is useful to all, having the promise of the present life and that which is to come. 1 Tim 6:6 It is, indeed, a great source of gain that piety with contentment; Tt 3:8 This word is certain, and I want you to affirm these things, so that those who have believed in God may apply themselves to practicing good works.
- Glorifying God, Examples
Isaiah 6:3 They cried out to each other, and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! Mt 15:31 so that the crowd was in awe that the dumb were speaking, that the crippled were healed, that the lame walked, that the blind saw; and it glorified the God of Israel. Acts 4:21 They made new threats to them, and released them, not knowing how to punish them, because of the people, because all glorified God for what had happened. Rev 4:11 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you have created all things, and it is by your will that they exist and were created.
From all the above, we note that Timothy was to live by “amassing as a treasure a good foundation for the future.” It is the abandonment of visible things, although they are the fruit of God’s goodness, but given by him to his own in order to acquire “a treasure in heaven” that does not fail and also to grasp “what is really life”. This must have been the attitude of the rich. This attitude, Timothy, who possessed none of their advantages, gave them the example by having himself “grasped eternal life.” Timothy is urged to keep what has been entrusted to him. On the other hand, we see Paul entrusting what he has to the Lord who has the power to keep his deposit. In Him is life, the power to sustain it and to keep in heaven the inheritance of glory that is destined for us. Paul knew who he had believed. He had not put his trust in the work, but in Christ,whom he knewwell. Here, it is Timothy who keeps the deposit that the Lord has entrusted to him. This deposit is the administration of the house of God by the Word, by doctrine, by the example he had to provide himself. His role was not to talk to those people; he had to flee their vain and profane speeches and the reasoning opposed to the doctrine of Christ by those discoureurs who claimed to have knowledge. Already some who professed to possess it had departed from Christian doctrine. The apostle’s last word to Timothy is “grace,” divine favor, on his son in faith, as his first word was grace. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to seek God’s grace.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “the exhortation to firmness in the faith and constancy in the work of ministry.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.