The David Spoon Experience 10-2-23 part 1

A) In 1 Timothy chapter 6 verse 3, Paul returns to the topic of sound doctrine, as he mentioned in chapter one, verse three. Sound doctrine and wholesome words must be in accordance with godliness and in agreement with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we do is based on the primary communication of the Gospels. In fact, in another part of this letter, Paul mentions that doctrine must be according to the Gospels (1:10-11).

B) The Apostle then goes on to say that anyone who is not teaching according to the words of Jesus and with godliness is simply a person who is proud, doesn’t know anything, and is obsessed with winning arguments, creating strife, and devoid of truth as put forth in the word. This person is doing their entire teaching for the purpose of financial gain. The instruction is straightforward: withdraw from that kind of person. In fact, it doesn’t say condemn; it just says withdraw. It’s a nice way to say walk away.

C) And here comes a zinger from the Lord: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” We should point out that in this context, godliness has more to do with the truth or genuineness of a person’s faith system, and in this case, one that connects directly to God. But the comment cannot be missed: we were born with nothing except identifying features that make us either a man or a woman and nothing else. We will die the same way; we brought nothing in, and we’ll take nothing out.

D) Now we come to the course of the great truth that people who make their life about making money, having things, having toys, are foolish and shortsighted. He who dies with the most toys, still dies. In verse 10, the most misquoted passage of all: “For it is the love of money,(not money itself) that is the root of evil.” Some people have made money their pursuit and pierced their lives through with many sorrows because money doesn’t answer the deepest need within.