Daily Devotions in I Timothy 6

Daily Nugget:
Despite the popular opinion, having wealth is not the way to happiness. Also, despite what some “religious” teachers insist, God does not want everyone rich. Wealth brings its own set of problems, many of them being spiritual.

The danger of having much is that with it may come many temptations (I Timothy 6:9). It is easy to covet more. Few wealthy people stop after reaching their initial goal of possessions. They often desire “just a little more.” Covetousness becomes a driving force in their life. It is not long after that a “love” for money often develops, and that is where many get lost in what is important in life.

Many say, “If I had money, it would not tempt me.” Although that is possible, look around and see what destruction having a lot has caused others:

• Many put a priority on keeping what they have over spending time with their families and doing what is important in this life. “I have to go to work this weekend to pay the bills for what we have.” Work becomes their master, rather than the Lord.
• Love for wealth causes many not to want to part with it. “I can’t afford to give money to my church. I need it to pay my bills.”
• I finally understand why so many people get upset when a preacher preaches on giving to the Lord. When he does, those that love money have made it their “god," and they get very upset when someone attempts to take away their “religion.”
• Possession of much fools many into thinking they do not need God. I remember knocking on a wealthy man’s door and asking him if he were saved and on the way to Heaven. His response was, “Look around at what I have. Does it look like I need God? Look what I have accomplished without Him.” That man never understood Who allowed him to breathe each day and allowed him to earn anything he had.
• Possession often leads to covetousness, and coveting is a sin (Exodus 20:17). It can also lead to other sins, such as lying and murder to keep what you have, idolatry when adoring it, and stealing or dishonesty to get more.

Money itself is not evil (I Timothy 6:10). However, possessing it can lead to problems that will take one far away from what is truly important in this life, and certainly take one further from God than one can imagine. It is better to be content with what you already have (I Timothy 6:6). Concentrate more on building Christian character, that will benefit you and others (I Timothy 6:11, 12).

Today’s Thought: 
“If you don’t tithe all your income, God may make your income your tithe.”

Words to Understand:
Destitute: poor; needy
Perdition: everlasting punishment; Hell
Quickeneth: speed things up; hurry
Surmisings: figure out; presume
Unrebukeable: not correctable; nothing found wrong that can be fixed

Today’s Reading:
I Timothy 6
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13 ¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.