1 Timothy 6: 6-20
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
September 29, 2019
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith.
Grace be with you (all). - 1 Timothy 6: 6-21
What really matters in life? Five simple words that pack a big question! And yet, the answer that you and I give is what truly drives the direction of our lives.
The Apostle Paul closed his first letter to young Timothy with this big question in mind. The early church of the second century was taking shape as small groups of Christians gathered in homes. Paul had planted the church in Ephesus and now young Timothy was a resident pastor there.
Paul was encouraging Timothy to engage the Ephesus church in what really matters in life. You see, some disciples were getting distracted by false teachings. Some disciples were getting distracted by unhealthy relationships with money. Paul did not want anyone under his pastoral care to be distracted to the point of wandering away from the faith.
Scripture tells us that in the mix of all the world’s distractions, God alone is our refuge (Psalm 91:1-2). As we abide in the shadow of the Almighty, God’s faithfulness promises to deliver us, give us new life, and raise us up on eagles’ wings, as Larry sang this morning.
God is always on the move to captivate us by his glory because the reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowing how to truly live (Proverbs 1:7). The gift of faith gives our lives purpose and meaning like nothing else can. Faith teaches us godly wisdom and instructs us to live in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity (Proverbs 1:1-3).
Therefore, Paul makes the point that if the church’s ultimate concern is not focused upon the transforming love of God in Jesus Christ, then the integrity of the gospel is at stake.
Paul Tillich is a contemporary theologian. He says that "Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned. If faith claims ultimacy in one’s life, then it demands the total surrender of the one who accepts this claim. It also promises total fulfillment even if all other claims have to be subjected to it or rejected in its name" [1].
Take a step back. Can you name what you are ultimately concerned about in life? Is your ultimate concern something that really matters? Is your ultimate concern life giving? Are you taking hold of the life that really is life-saving?
It is important for all of us to ask ourselves these questions. Periodically we all need to take a step back and take up an inventory of life.
We all face the same temptations to place something other than faith in that circle of ultimate concern. You and I are prone to wander and leave the God we love.
I want for you to look around at your neighbors in the pews. Give each other a smile. And remember that we all need someone who will encourage us to fight the good fight. We all need someone to inspire us to guard this gift of faith that has been entrusted to us.
Look at your neighbor and say “I am here for you!” Know that someone needed to hear your words today!
I have had the privilege of walking beside this body of Christ the past four years. And each year I have invited the session to read a book with me. We get together an hour before session meetings to share dinner and our reading insights.
The purpose of our reading together is to grow in our understanding and commitment of being spiritual leaders to encourage this church as followers of Jesus Christ. I also hope our book discussions spark our collective imaginations in what it means to keep in step with God’s Spirit and to discern God’s will for this church.
This summer the session elders and I have been reading “Shift: Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church,” by Rev. Mark Tidsworth. Mark highlights what really matters in the life of the faith community, saying:
“We need people who expect really good things from us. We need people around us who expect us to live like disciples of Jesus Christ. We need people who anticipate we will love God and love people. Invigorated faith communities actually expect disciples of Jesus Christ to grow, change, develop, and become more Christ-like.”
Paul says that what really matters for us as people of faith is taking hold of the life that really is life. Paul expected the best of God’s potential to be present within Timothy and the Ephesus church. That meant each of them was to live like disciples of Jesus Christ.
Keeping faith as one’s ultimate concern mattered to Paul. And it matters to me. We all have different passions regarding how to put faith into action. But nevertheless, faith is to be our ultimate concern
We all need to be encouraged in the life of faith. As I encourage you, so encourage one another to live like disciples of Jesus Christ. Make it a priority to spiritually grow in right relationships with God and one another. Be intentional to cultivate time in your devotion to God. Nurturing this gift of faith empowers us to love like Jesus does in self-giving ways.
Jesus’ love shows us how to endure life’s challenges with God’s strength because we cannot do it on our own.
Jesus’ love drives the direction of our lives to do good works that proclaim the good news.
Jesus’ love deepens our spiritual commitment to be generous to strangers and neighbors alike.
Jesus’ love moves our hearts to work for God’s unity in the community.
Jesus’ love empowers us to experience faith that is life-giving and life-saving.
There is no other teaching or amount of money that can buy that.
Jesus’ love shows us why the gift of faith was his ultimate concern. Christ’s faithfulness to God in his ministry and in his vulnerability on the cross fulfilled God’s purposes to change the world! The world is still being changed by Christ’s faithfulness today.
And we are called to be a part of that. Each of us has a unique way to make Jesus’ love known in our homes, neighborhoods, nation, and world.
Take hold of life that really is life. May we guard this gift of faith that has been entrusted to us.
Because in the end – what truly matters is the transforming love of God alone.
In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
Sources Referenced:
[1] Paul Tillich, “Dynamics of Faith” (New York: HarperCollins, 1957, republished 2001), p. 1.
[2] Mark Tidsworth, “Shift” Three Big Moves for the 21st Century Church” (Chapin: Pinnacle Leadership Press, 2016), p. 172.
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