Tonight we are gathering to discuss 1 Timothy 6. This will be our last week with 1 Timothy. We will begin 2 Timothy next Tuesday. When we read of Paul’s tacit approval of slavery in vv.1-2, and reflect on certain Christian’s defenses of slavery, we wonder how the evil of owning another person was not self-evident. Paul’s teachings in vv. 2-10, however, point out our own economic and social blind spots. Within these verses, we find the greatest indictment of our modern Western society. Paul tells us that “The love of money is the root of all evil” (v.19) Paul teaches that the pursuit of wealth produces disputations, envy, dissension, slander, and suspicions (v.4), and that we should simply be content with adequate food and clothing (v.8). We find this same indictment of wealth in the Gospels: “Go, sell all you possess and follow me” (Matt. 19:21), “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into heaven” (Matt. 19:24), “for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul” (Matt 16:26), “do not lay up for yourself treasures on earth” (Matt. 6:19), “for no one can serve two masters – God and wealth” (Matt 6:24), woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation, (Luke 6:24) and others. And yet, like slavery in Roman society, the very basis of our economic system is wealth accumulation. Although no other economic system has brought more people out of poverty, how do we reconcile our American capitalist system with the teachings of Scripture?
Dinner is a 6. The menu is ribs. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here.
But as for you, aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith and take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
1 Timothy 6:11-12