EXHORTATIONS TO CHRISTIANS

1 TIMOTHY 6:17-21

Paul had high standards not only for those that lead the church – the bride of Christ as he refers to it in many of his letters – but he also hold those believers to high standards.

Paul warned Timothy and us about being weary of those who teach, preach or follow doctrines not aligned with the words of Jesus, even pointing out a five-fold problem these people cause.

Last Week Paul directed us on living a Godly Lifestyle which includes

Having Contentment with God’s Provision and Blessings

Simplicity helps strengthen our contentment

He warned us of the love of money and it being the root of all kinds of evil – like a plant root most of the time it isn’t visible but can fester while hidden

We are called to Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

While pursuing these we are called to remain persistent – fight the good fight – live radically and live a life unstained and above reproach

As we close this series here – as Paul exhorts Christians – let us Pray!

Exhortation to Christians

1 Timothy 6:17-21 – 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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

I. THE REDEDICATION—vv. 17–19

1. Dependence—v. 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.

Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

As we spoke last week – do not want – do not lust for more – be content

Luke 12:15 – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Luke 12:18-21 – And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Depend on God to be your source of joy.

Psalm 43:4 – Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Psalm 5:11 – But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Hebrews 12:2 – Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Timothy – charge them command them do not set their hearts on the perishable, on wealthy

Philippians 4:19 – And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2. Distribution—v. 18 – They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

Use what you have to help the work of the Lord – 5 Commands – no ands no buts just commands –

1. Do Good – follow the example of Christ – example of all of these!

2. Be Rich in Good Deeds – to be rich in money is to have a lot – be rich in good deeds – have an exuberant in your doing of good deeds

3. Be Generous – give without expectations, give with possible payback or reward

4. Willing to Share – do not hoard, don’t keep back, share – hospitable – community minded

5. v19 – Storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future

1 John 3:17 – But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 – “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’

Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Proverbs 11:24-25 – One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Galatians 6:10 – So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”

3. Dedication—v. 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.

Command them to be rich in deeds – thus storing up treasure for them – 2-fold purpose for Timothy and us

1st – develop a sense of responsibility for the wealthy

2nd – develop an eternal perspective not finite perspective

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

To take hold of – be focused on –

Jesus Warns us Luke 21:34 – “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

Take hold of what is true life – eternal life

Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

II. THE REMINDER—vv. 20–21

1. Consecration—v. 20 – O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

Paul’s final closing has two fold aspects –

a. Guard the deposit entrusted to you – continue to fight the good fight

Guard – protect – you protect what is valuable to you –

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 – Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

2 Timothy 3:14-16 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Thessalonians 2:15 – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Again – be care of false knowledge

Colossians 2:8 – See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

If it is not from Christ – don’t engage – don’t allow it to prosper and spread

b. Avoid foolish ignorant people – Do not argue with foolish people godless chatter – foolish ideas – ignorance to the Word of God – avoid these people

Proverbs 18:2 – A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 29:11a – A fool gives full vent to his spirit

2 Timothy 2:15-17a – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.

2. Confusion—v. 21 – for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

Those that follow after Colossians 2:8 – the philosophy or philosophies – those who engage in empty and deceitful talk, hang on to human tradition – by doing this they have swerved from the faith – they have left their first love

1 Timothy 1:5-6 – The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,

Stay focused on the Word of God – the Will of God – don’t swerve left or right

There were some who abandoned Jesus as He was walking – they didn’t like what He said, what He taught

John 6:66-69 – After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Timothy – church of 2023 – don’t swerve from the faith – don’t swerve from God’s Word