Thoughts on the readings for May 24th (Joshua 10, Isaiah 14,1 Timothy 6)

1 Timothy 6 says that servants must honourably bare the responsibility of faithful service. The chapter next sounds a warning against false teachers and this is followed by one of the greatest, and possibly the hardest, lesson to learn – ie that godliness with contentment is the greatest profit a believer can have in life. We can take nothing with us when we die. All that is important is the legacy that the Almighty sees – a life of devotion to Him and service to others – a life rich in good works. To pursue any other course is a guarantee of frustration and sorrow (just as Balaam found out). Verse 10 tells us, “the love of money” (Greek “philaguros” – literally “lover of silver” which has in Greek the numeric value of 666) is ‘a root of all kinds of evil’. In verses 11-16 Timothy (and each believer) is urged to fight the fight of faith following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave a faithful witness before Pontius Pilate – costing our Lord Jesus his life. Jesus will, on his return to earth, set up the glorious kingdom of God demonstrating the power and honour of the King Invisible (God the Almighty Father) and the benefits that will come to those who live life by this guide. The letter concludes with a reminder to safeguard the deposit which had been committed to Timothy and a charge to the rich to avoid pride. The rich are counselled to use their God given resources to benefit others (the lesson being based on the life of Hezekiah cp2 Kings 20 verses 12-16). Let us learn godliness with contentment; richness in faith and loving works to others – pause and ponder.