1 Timothy 6:3-11: “Faith Misplaced”

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not commit to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless means of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:3-11, NKJV).

Isn’t it unusual that all these “preachers” and “anointed” teachers we see in the religious discourse known as “Christian” television seem to conveniently avoid commenting on passages such as these?

I, for one, have never heard folks like Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, Leroy Thompson, Fred Price, Creflo Dollar, Paula White, Marilyn Hickey, Steve Munsey, Mike Murdock, Sid Roth, Jim Bakker, Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn, and Joyce Meyer ever once mention that passages such as what is presented in this study even exist in the Holy Scriptures. They are more in line with what they refer to as “personal revelations” from God – telling the gullible, biblically illiterate, desperate, and often naïve viewer and listener that if they would “sow a seed” into their “ministry,” that they would be guaranteed blessings from the LORD and the “curse” of poverty would be lifted, with everything turning out to their advantage.

The only “blessings” that are ever received is the increasing bank accounts of these hucksters who do nothing but give the cause of Christ a bad name and a horrendous witness to the outside world.

I must be honest. I am on the verge of hating these lying snakes and am awaiting their inevitable judgment from the Lord Jesus Christ when He establishes His rule and reign upon this world. However, I do fear for them if they don’t open their eyes and honestly repent of their errors and wickedness before time runs out. Riches in the name of religion is not exclusive to this age, nor has the concept of “personal revelations from God” being used as a means of pilfering from the poor been something that only came about recently. Men have used the virtue of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ as a “cash cow” practically since its establishment.

Look at the episode in Acts 8:9-24 concerning the bogus “conversion” of the magician Simon. It seemed that he was a true believer on the surface, but his real motive for religious power was revealed when he offered money to the apostles so that he would have the power of the Holy Spirit and work miracles. Peter immediately rebuked him for his greed and lust for power and influence, directly stating that Simon had no real relationship with God and that he needed to repent of his evil desire. The incident concludes with Simon asking Peter to pray for him, but there is no further mention of Simon in the book. We don’t have any idea if he ever repented or decided to resume his chicanery. The assumption is that he was a false convert, similar to the seed that Jesus described in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21, the chapters that present the Ten Commandments, show us that God forbids covetousness in any form; that is, greed for anything. Riches are one of the things that we are to work for if possible, but to never look at with envy or hatred towards someone who does possess wealth. This is why the concept of socialism is a sin and an affront to the freedom that God gives to us to pursue and obtain those things that are of benefit to us and are to be seen as gifts of God for virtue and the value of hard work (Deuteronomy 8:18; 1 Samuel 2:7; 1 Chronicles 29:12). We are to never gain riches at the expense of oppressing the poor or denying anyone the opportunity to better themselves.

It will only be in the new heavens and the new earth when all of God’s elect are rewarded their treasures that can never be corroded or stolen by anyone (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 6:19-21).

As the church developed from a persecuted group of dedicated believers in the cause and name of Jesus Christ to an accepted religion under the reign of the Roman emperor Constantine in the early 4^th century, its focus changed from the need to preach the gospel to the acceptance and rewards given to it by the state. The state saw the church as a means of keeping order and uniting the citizens of the declining empire into one homogeneous group, allegedly giving their lives to the cause of Christianity, but without a personal relationship with Christ Himself. Church officials began to acquire not just influence with the imperial courts, but also gained wealth and power as they governed their respective parishes and dictated what was acceptable and holy conduct and behavior by clergy and citizenry alike.

The conglomerate of church and state was at its peak in the medieval period of western civilization (300-1500 A.D.). This era of history is rife with bad theology, immoral and reprobate popes, persecution of those individuals who would attempt to produce Bibles in the modern languages, perversions of varied types, and kings whose character and rule were often questionable at best and reprehensible at the worst. The quest for riches by various popes and prelates led to unbiblical and unethical means that resulted in full coffers and false assurances of salvation. One of these methods was known as indulgences, and they were a means to finance the building of what would be St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, specifically the area known as the Vatican today.

A clergyman by the name of Johann Tetzel was given the job of raising the needed funds by selling guarantees of salvation or the freeing of a soul in “purgatory” (of which there is absolutely NO biblical basis). Tetzel was the role model for “prosperity” preachers, and it can be demonstrated by the pitch he gave to unsuspecting, biblically illiterate peasants to give to the “poor” church and the work of God. He would say as the money was given, “as soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory flings.” It’s almost similar to the modern hucksters telling the gullible to “sow a seed and be blessed” that is seen all too often on religious TV shows.

This deceptive and ungodly shakedown caught the attention of a German monk in the town of Wittenberg named Martin Luther (1483-1546). He had become a member of the Augustinian order of Catholic priests by promising to go into the service of the church after being terrified by a storm in the countryside. Luther struggled for years about the state of his soul and underwent numerous times of confessions, self-scourging, abstentions from food and rest, and long tedious prayers that seemed to go nowhere. His superior, fed up with Luther’s actions, told him to study the Scriptures and get advanced degrees in the field of theology as a means of keeping him occupied and away from the constant confessions of petty actions that drove the other priests away from him.

In 1517, Luther had achieved the educational goals by earning a doctorate in Biblical studies. He had also undergone a radical transformation in understanding the work of Christ on the cross and the need to have faith in His finished plan of redemption for people. Luther discovered through the books of Romans and Galatians that we must come to Christ by faith and not by works or obedience to figures like popes (of which, again, there is NO biblical ground). We did not have to pray to saints or to Mary for intercession to God, nor did we need absolution and forgiveness for sins by fallible clergymen who did not possess this authority.

The act of distributing indulgences and their uselessness as far as salvation goes was an issue that Luther challenged in a series of ninety-five arguments that he wrote and fastened to the doors of the Wittenberg church to be read by all the people. What Martin Luther did was bring about the Protestant Reformation and the dissolution of the stranglehold the Catholic Church and the corrupt papacy had on the nations of Europe. There were to come years of conflict, war, inquisitions, treachery, betrayals, torture, and the translations of Holy Scripture into the language of the people, often at the cost of life. A lot of these troubles were instigated by the Catholics, but there were injustices on the Protestant sides as well, so no one group got off the hook.

Abuses of power by varied members of the clergy and laity, especially in the area of money, have unfortunately plagued the church throughout the years, and with it, false teachers who brought about heretical cults and practices such as found in the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarianism, Christian Science, and much of what is found in excessive charismatic practices in this day and age.

It seems that much of the financial chicanery and bad teachings seen in the media come from those in the charismatic fold, where biblical standards and discipline are in short supply, but the problems of the lack of sound doctrinal teaching and the abuse of resources is within the confines of every denomination today, and is, unfortunately, a sign of the end times as foretold by the Lord Jesus and in the Scriptures themselves:

• Matthew 5:19; 15:9, 14; 23:16; 24:23
• Luke 6:39; 11:52; 12:23
• Acts 15:24
• 2 Corinthians 11:4, 13
• Galatians 1:9; 5:8
• Philippians 1:15
• 1 Timothy 1:7; 4:2; 6:3
• 2 Timothy 4:3
• Titus 1:11
• 2 Peter 2:1
• 2 John 10
• Revelation 2:2

I think of people like the late Dr. Billy Graham (1918-2018) as a role model for an alternative view of worth and value in terms of effectiveness and genuine godliness in the face of religious greed. I realize that there are individuals who have damned Dr. Graham for some of the mistakes and errors of judgment he made during his lifetime; but he is not here to defend himself, and I go by what fruit has been produced in terms of what the church is to be in this world, and that is to be a representation of Jesus Christ and His saving grace for all who would come to the cross.

Dr. Graham and his family lived in a log house in the woods of North Carolina and never lived anywhere else. He was put on a salary at his insistence by the organization he founded and never wavered from that commitment to live within his means. Any royalties he got from the books he wrote were given to charity, and he never took any of it for himself. He allegedly flew coach on airlines if he was able, and was accessible if needed within reason. He insisted that people call him “Billy” and not by his titles.

As far as I could tell, his messages were all Bible-based and preached with the intention of seeing people saved. His ministry never saw any financial scandal, and he was never seen alone with anyone of the opposite sex other than his wife. His reputation has never been tarnished by personal iniquity, and his last years saw him give his final message called “The Cross,” used to bring untold numbers to Christ and is still a presentation found on social media, and has been watched by thousands, many of whom trusted in Christ for salvation as a result. He, being dead, still speaks.

He had said that when he got to heaven, he would ask why Jesus chose him out of all the people He could have used to preach His word. We will not see his likeness again this side of glory. Like he is now, we will soon be with our Lord Jesus and the faithful people of God who faced adversities, temptations, persecutions, and death for the sake of what is truly priceless, and that is the inerrant, all-powerful, all-sufficient Word of the Living God and its power to take what is ugly by the world’s standards and change anyone into someone beautiful in Christ.

Would that everyone who claims the name of Christ fix their sight on the treasures of salvation and eternal life in heaven with the Lord Jesus?

Remember, there are no trailers behind hearses, and Matthew 16:26 is still in effect until He returns. Amen?

drwhitchard@aol.com

www.donaldwhitchard.com

 

I have felt, at times, that God surely can’t hear me anymore. I’ve sinned and I’ve disappointed myself, but sinning against Him and the immeasurable feeling of regret and shame that comes with it is an awful feeling.

I’ve sinned against Him, my creator, whom I love with everything in me. I love Him, I fear Him, I think of Him every moment of every day; and yet, I sin against Him. My heart begs for mercy; my soul yearns for His comfort and forgiveness. Have you ever felt like this?

There are times when I don’t “feel” him, but He’s always there. He’s not a feeling, an emotion. His love doesn’t sway, though He abhors our sinful nature. The love He has is so great that He sent His Son for us, to save us.

Jesus became that sin; He became that shame and regret.

He hung on a cross where God had to turn away from Him, forsake Him as our sin covered Him. Our sin caused God to turn away from His son because He is so Holy that He couldn’t look upon it. Our sin covered our Savior, which in turn gave us mercy. If not for Him, we would never even see the gates of Heaven. Not one of us.

As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Romans 3:10-12).

On the day of Pentecost, Jesus entered the disciples through His Spirit. His Spirit resides within us, giving us a close and personal relationship with Him. Why do you think you feel so disgusted with yourself after failing Him? Because His Spirit is in you. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, His Spirit enters you, and you become a new creature. You inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph 1:13-14).

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).

The “Helper” that was sent to us, after Jesus was crucified, is His Spirit. Jesus tried explaining this to the disciples but they did not understand. Why? Because they had not yet received His Spirit, so there were things they simply could not comprehend. Islam teaches that the helper was Muhammad. More on that in my next article.

Those that haven’t accepted Him just can’t understand what we as Christians understand or begin to see and feel through that Helper, and they won’t until they also accept Him.

“Say not, ‘Why were the former days better than these’? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this” (Eccl 7:10).

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples and the rest of mankind, it changed everything. The Holy Spirit gives you power and courage. It gave Peter, who only weeks before denied Jesus, boldness that He didn’t have before.

He stood in the synagogue preaching the Gospel, and 3,000 men and women were saved that day. It gave Paul courage. He was a Roman spreading a message that went against everything Rome stood for. He taught that Caesar was not above God, and Rome was filled with idolatry and sin. Paul was imprisoned over and over for His witness to Jesus. After Pentecost, Peter and Paul preached with authority and without fear for decades after the crucifixion.

The Holy Spirit is our guide; it’s our compass to the world, telling us which direction we need to follow.

When you become a Christian, sin bothers you. Abortion bothers you. Persecution of your brothers and sisters across the world bothers you. You begin to think of God more and more often, and your own sin disgusts you. The world isn’t as fascinating and welcoming once you become a Christian.

You’re not accepted in as many circles, or you’re mocked for your beliefs; of course, it’s only a joke though, right? Are you a virgin waiting until your wedding night? Something is wrong with you, not the women who party at clubs and have multiple one-night stands. Do you believe abortion is murder? Then you hate women and want to rob them of their right to “choose.” You want to burden women with the hardships a baby brings. How dare you.

Why do we sin against God, even after becoming saved? It’s because our flesh is weak. It’s because we are fallen and have been in a fallen and sinful state since Adam and Eve sinned against God. Jesus said the spirit is willing, it’s strong. But our flesh hinders us. It causes us to stumble and fall.

Paul himself admitted that he still struggled in the flesh, even after being saved.

“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me” (Romans 7:21-23).

As a Christian it’s sometimes easy to get a little cocky; you’ve got God on your side; you’re not going to sin again. You then begin to rely on yourself instead of God. When you rely on yourself instead of God, you find yourself in trouble. You find that sin and your previous life and desires are still lurking in the shadows, waiting. Satan hates you. You didn’t think this would be easy, did you? It’s not easy, but it will be worth it.

It’s hard to admit I feel as though something is wrong with me as a Christian, to feel His absence. Am I alone? Thoughts creep in my head, and I wonder where they came from. Why am I thinking that?! Is it normal to sometimes feel like you’re being torn between wanting to live for Christ and the big beautiful world calling you back? The world screams your name, and God help you if you were a former addict, whether to porn or drugs.

Were you promiscuous, or did you like to “party”? The world especially wants you back. It won’t leave you alone, and you will have a constant struggle. Sometimes, even in prayer, you will fail. Not because Jesus failed you, but because YOU failed YOU.

Maybe you still have some of your old friends in your life, and there’s nothing wrong with that, if you know how to stand strong in your faith. Maybe it’s sexual temptation or lust.

Satan offered Jesus the entire world, every Kingdom, from the first to the last, but He rejected it. Satan tempted Him with every temptation we feel today. He rejected them, yet we have a hard time saying no to the simplest temptation that offers no reward or just a temporary pleasure.

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve'” (Matthew 4:8-10).

Am I alone in not feeling good enough as the sins of my past creep into my head and accuse me? They remind me of just how fallen I am. Who is my accuser?

“The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down’” (Rev. 12:9-10).

Every breath you take as a Christian is one too many for Satan. He wants to destroy you. He wants to make you hurt and to feel lost and rejected. He wants you to be miserable and constantly think of your past. Where do you think those sudden thoughts of your past sinful nature come from? He’s accusing you every moment of every day.

Slip up once and Satan will be before God letting Him know exactly what you’ve done. He doesn’t understand the love of Christ, though, or His never-ending love for us. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to have the Holy Spirit in you and the power that it can bring. He simply wants to destroy you.

When Eve sinned, the Bible doesn’t say she acted defiantly against God. Scripture says she was “beguiled.”

The definition of beguile is to “charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way.”

We are lucky. We know what Satan’s purpose is; we know he wants to destroy the children of God. We know he is lurking in the shadows ready to pounce in our moments of weakness. What prior experience did Adam and Eve have with Satan? None. Eve was deceived, and she went along with the deception cooked up by Satan, resulting in our fallen state today. He charmed her.

Adam and Eve didn’t have books or documents written over thousands of years warning them of Satan’s very nature. They weren’t able to rely on the experiences of other men. This was a weakness, and Satan used it.

Adam and Eve literally had God before them, walking with them in the Garden, speaking to them even.  Yet they still sinned and fell from His grace.

The world calls for you to come back. It wants you to be a part of all the bright, beautiful things it offers. Just like Satan beguiled Eve in the Garden, Satan is beguiling you with things that are pleasurable to the flesh. The road to damnation is wide and paved in gold. The road to salvation is narrow and difficult if you’re not focused solely on God.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

It’s not that God has made the path to Him difficult. We make it difficult. We complicate our lives by not obeying Him and His word. Jesus is perfect, we are far from it.

If you lose sight of God, even for a moment, temptation rears it’s ugly head.

Remember that you are a new creature, born again. We are representing Jesus and His message of salvation. We are to live by His example, but don’t expect to be perfect like Him. He came for a reason, because you are not perfect. You will fall; you will sin in the eyes of our Holy God. He is holy, holy, holy, but His love is endless, and you are forgiven through His Son.

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

He knows your heart, your innermost thoughts. Nobody said this journey would be easy, but I promise it will be worth it. Trust in Him, and He will be faithful to listen.

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Vanessa

Womanofchrist@yahoo.com