Stewardship 2 – desires and riches

The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on the Christian approach to riches.

Scripture

1 Timothy 6:5-19

5… From such [who suppose that godliness is a means of gain] withdraw yourself.  6  Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

9  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. 10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…

17  Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19  storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Observations and reflections

1. To get to the heart of Paul’s instructions in this chapter, summarize each sub-this section in a short phrase:
   1. Verses 5-8
   2. Verses 9-10
   3. Verses 11-12
   4. Verses 17-19
2. Paul quotes some teachers who say “godliness is a means of gain” but responds by saying “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
   1. What do you understand by each of these phrases?
   2. Then Paul says we cannot “carry” anything out – why does he say that? [hint: what can we take out of this world…? see verse 6]
   3. So in light of this, why would Paul be content with only “food and clothing”?
3. Paul is often misquoted as saying “money is THE root of ALL EVIL”; what does he say in this text above, and what difference does it make?

Application and Prayer

1. Paul refers to people who once served God but have backslid in pursuit of earthly wealth. Do you know individuals who once served Jesus passionately but have since then become more wealthy and consequently more worldly, with less care for God and his things?  How did it happen?  Or, can you recognize in your own life that more possessions bring more cares and also more carelessness for God’s and his things?
2. Paul gives command to wealthy people in the congregation Timothy oversees:
   1. “to not be haughty [proud]” – do you recognize in yourself that you more easily look down at poor people that at rich people? What is the right attitude?  And how can you rectify that?
   2. “not to trust in …riches” – do you find (or long for) security in savings or insurance? What is the right attitude?  And how can you rectify that?
   3. “who gives us all things to enjoy” – do you sometimes feel ashamed or guilty for having more money than others? What is the right attitude?  And how can you rectify that?
3. Pray to God about your attitude regarding money and earthly possessions – both that which you have and that which you desire or need. But take your time to thank God for that which you have and have had in the past – recognizing him as the “giver of all good things”!  Then ask God what you should do with what you have now.

Fellowship of the saints 2 – fellowship with God in Christ

The aim of the module is to grow in understanding and habitual practice of Biblical Fellowship.  (Recommended read for overview of the module: True Christian Fellowship)

Scripture

Philippians 1:1-30 [ESV]

1  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

7  It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of [God’s] grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8  For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9  And it is my prayer [to God] that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

12  I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13  so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14  And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15  Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16  The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17  The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19  for I know that through your prayers [to God] and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20  as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  24  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26  so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27  Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28  and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30  engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Observations

1. As we study our fellowship (sharing) with God, mark every reference in Philippians 1 to God, Jesus Christ or God’s Spirit. And write down whether this reference is an objective reality or subjective experience (i.e. do we share in God in this instance through our activity, or passively)

(If you are not pressed for time, do this with Chapter 1-4)

Application

1. Looking at Paul’s relationship with God through Christ and His Spirit in Philippians only,
   1. In which do you fellowship / share in God today without any effort on my part (i.e. objective reality) such as “being saints in Christ Jesus”?
   2. In which ways can you fellowship with God today through my activity (i.e. subjective experience) such as “prayer” etc?

Prayer

Paul mentions the prayer that he prays for this congregation (1:9-11).  Take a few minutes and pray this prayer in your own words for your small group or Bible Study friends.