1 Timothy 6:3-21
Part 10, In Pursuit of Godliness Series
It was estimated to have around 10 million slaves out of the 50 million imperial population in the 1st century A.D.[1] And from those 10 million slaves some have heard the gospel and turned to Christ. Some of them, found their way to Ephesus, the church which Timothy pastored.
1. Christian workers can find peace and contentment in the Lord in every situation.
“All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.” 1 Timothy 6:1-2
· The secret to finding peace and contentment is to put one’s faith in the Lord. See 1 Timothy 6:1
· It delights your heart to know, that God is in control of your situation and can fulfill His plans. See Psalm 39:9-11
· It gives your heart peace and contentment if you understand that respecting people, especially those in authority, is a way of showing respect to God. See Colossians 3:22-23 also.
· Peace and contentment in the Lord will help develop your character. Character is what you are.
· Your godly character must be reflected even in your work ethic.
"The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk who prays -- not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship." Our Daily Bread, September 5, 1994.
How to display peace and contentment in the Lord at your workplace.
· Be a servant both to the godly and the unsaved boss. vv.1-2
· Display the pattern of the gospel. vv.2-4a.
· Avoid controversial talks. vv.4,5.
2. Believers are cautioned about loving wealth.
“9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10.
· Money is not the problem, it’s the love for it. v.10
· Money is short-lived and you can’t keep it forever.
· But the consequences of loving money can have terrible consequences. vv.9-10.
How not to love money.
· Set your priorities right.
Growing in faith is one of our top priorities.
· Look outside yourself more often.
Let us see how we can use our money to help others.
· Choose relationships over financial gain.
Don’t put money before relationships.
[1] See Scott G. Chase, Slavery in Early Roman Palestine, “Thesis presented to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University,” pg. 1.
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