Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. 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 6:6-10, NIV)
Paul, writing to Timothy, is very concerned to instruct his young disciple how to deal with false teaching and corruption - especially financial corruption - in the church in Ephesus. Paul was the founder of this great church, but now, years later, there are problems.
In Chapter 5:16ff, Pauls outlines what should be the wholesome norm for financial provision: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching, for the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain’ and ‘the worker deserves his wages’.”
There has been a tradition, certainly in Britain, to keep the preacher poor. When I began in ministry, the practise was to keep you just above the poverty level. This is not good.
But Paul lays out a provision of care for Timothy and for the Church, even though he himself - more fully involved in missions and ministry than any of the others we know at that time - was often not dependent on the Church for his support; rather he would provide for himself by working as a tent-maker. I have often provided for my family and my ministry myself. Coming out of the communist prison, my own church organisation so violently rejected my plans to continue working in those Soviet countries, I was ex-communicated and cut off from any source of finance, even circulating a letter forbidding me to preach in their churches! In order to support myself I had to start in business - which God so blessed, for years I was able to give up to 80% of my income to finance my ministry in East Europe!
Paul recognises the stresses and strains that exist within the ministry, and instructs Timothy, v19ff, “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and do nothing out of favouritism.”
We have to be extremely careful who is chosen for ministry. Paul says, v22, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” He’s not talking about praying for the sick, but the laying on of hands to confirm God’s call to the ministry. Jesus said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” In Acts 8 we find a man called Simon, who ‘believed and was baptised’ and yet, when he saw that the gift of the Holy Spirit was given when the Apostles laid their hands on people - he wanted to buy the gift! You cannot buy the gifts - they are imparted by God. Only God. Ministry is a calling. That’s why Paul so often writes in his letters that he is an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the Will of God.
He continues,“Don’t be hasty in the laying on of hands, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” He says, in v24ff, “The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of Judgement ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them.” This is a warning to all of us that we must all appear at the Judgement Seat of Christ - the sinner and the saint - all must give an account of what we have done. For sin, this means punishment. But blessing and reward for those of us who have been faithful in service. What Paul is saying is, whether sin is obvious now, or only recognised later, everything we do is recorded in advance in Heaven. Similarly, v25, even if our good deeds are not obvious now, they cannot remain hidden, they are recorded - just as our names are already recorded in the Book of Life! There is reward, and there is punishment, in eternity.
The sin that concerns Paul very much here are the sin of peddling false doctrine for financial gain within the church. In Chapter 6:3, Paul writes, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and doesn’t agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing! He has an unhealthy interest in controversy and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind who have been robbed of the truth, and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” Wow! If you teach false doctrine and don’t agree to the sound instruction given to us by Jesus as found in the Word of God - then you cause trouble in the church, rob people of the truth - and make money out of it! It needs to be preached today: true godliness is never a means to financial gain.
Paul warns Timothy, v6ff, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.” You may be the richest man in the world, but when you die, you take nothing out! “If we have food and clothing, we will be content. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs…”
Working for God is a sacrifice. Paul says, v11ff, “Man of God, flee from all this, (the corruption that comes from the love of money), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith and take hold of the eternal life to which you are called… I charge you, keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Let us be faithful to the end! Amen.