1 Timothy 6:1-19
1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Ti 6:1–19). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Why does a man on a sinking ship grab material goods before running for his life? We may sympathize with the woman who runs back into the burning building to save her child, but what about to save her photo album? What can we take with us when we go to heaven? We come into the world naked and with nothing but body and soul. We die with only body and soul which become divided for a time, until the resurrection.
St Paul would remind Timothy that you can not take anything out of this world. People can gladly gain many things. They can gain many and various possessions, but none of which can they take with them when they die. Thus, you should be content with all you receive. You receive food and clothing from God your Father. He is the one who provides for all your needs. But many of us desire to lay up for ourselves treasures on Earth. We like to think that we can buy our way out of any trouble.
But your price has already been paid. The debt you owe has already been settled with the manager. You came into the world sinful and unclean. You will die because of your sins. But Christ Jesus will wash you in his own blood and cleanse you from your filthy sins. He will give you knew life in the Resurrection of the Dead on the last day.
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