1 Timothy 6 | Why the Love of Money is the Root of All Evil

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What does the Bible teach about contentment?
How should Christians view money?
What does Paul mean by "the love of money is the root of all evil"?What is the role of a bondservant in 1 Timothy 6?

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul concludes his letter to Timothy with powerful warnings and encouragement. He first addresses the need for mutual respect between masters and bondservants, a relationship that has often been misunderstood through the lens of modern slavery. Paul emphasizes that both are equal in Christ and should treat one another with honor, a radical concept in their cultural context. 

Paul then transitions to warnings about false teachers, particularly those who exploit godliness as a means of financial gain. He warns Timothy to be on guard against such teachings, which are pervasive and deceptive, urging him to remain grounded in the truth of the gospel. Paul highlights the importance of godliness paired with contentment, teaching that the pursuit of wealth often leads to ruin. 

Contentment is a core message in this chapter. Paul explains that true gain comes from being satisfied with basic needs being met—food and clothing. He contrasts this with the destructive desire to be rich, which leads many away from faith and causes spiritual harm. His teachings challenge modern prosperity theology, pointing out that wealth is not the ultimate goal of the Christian life; rather, honoring God should be the believer’s focus.

In the closing verses, Paul exhorts Timothy to guard the spiritual deposit entrusted to him—his faith and sound doctrine. He stresses the importance of avoiding irreverent babble and false knowledge, which could lead some to swerve from the faith.

Ultimately, 1 Timothy 6 is a call to live a life rooted in godliness and contentment, avoiding the traps of wealth and false teachings. Paul’s message transcends time, offering vital lessons on faith, contentment, and integrity that are just as relevant today.

#ChristianLiving #GodsPlanYourPart #NewTestamentStudy #1Timothy6 #ContentmentInChrist #BiblicalTruth #FalseTeachers #LoveOfMoney #FaithAndFinances #BuildGodsKingdom

Transcript

 1 Timothy 6

1 Timothy 6

[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's plan, your part year two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire new Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. Today, we are looking at first Timothy chapter six, and we are rounding out the book of first Timothy.

So this is the end of Paul's argument, uh, encouragement to his protege, Timothy. Uh, actually tomorrow we'll be jumping into his second letter to Timothy. Uh, but you can tell as we're reading through this that he's kind of rounding out his conversation and just helping to encourage him and caution him and further prepare him for strong ministry.

I think that said this lots of times, I think this is a great book to read and I hope you're encouraged by it today. So we kind of wrap up and round out the respect piece, I think, because like I said, yesterday's episode, we were talking a little bit about how. Um, those over you or older than you, there's like this piece of honor that is, um, expected and required of believers.

So in [00:01:00] verse two of chapter six, those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers. So essentially it's kind of that same deal where we're talking about like those bond servants, I guess is what they're called in the first verse. If you are both believers, and I think we should probably flesh out just a little bit.

And you can do that. We definitely need to bond servants are, uh, but it's this idea of like, we're both believers. So in that, like that requires even more respect for each other as believers in Christ. So this, um, this particular chapter and these first couple of like three or four verses, uh, can stir up a lot of controversy because they have been used, uh, particularly in like, Like American, um, slavery context, they have been used to encourage people who were unjustly held as slaves to obey their masters, even though their masters were unjustly caring for them.

And there's a lot of hurt that has come out of these passages. So I [00:02:00] don't want to hide that or pretend like it's not a thing. Um, but I can very confidently say that those people that were using the Bible to keep the People in chains and in slavery, um, were misusing the Bible and misrepresenting the heart of God.

It's very important to capture that. And I can explain it. Um, what Paul is referring to this bond servant relationship, um, it, sometimes it's translated as slave, but it's not really a fair depiction, mostly because of how we view it through our own historical eyes. So if you're, you know, An American and you're very familiar of learning about the civil war and slavery and those kinds of things.

That is the image that comes into your mind, but that was not the image that would have come into Paul's mind. Uh, Paul saw bond servants, uh, as they were, uh, historically in his context seen as people that were, um, certainly committing to serve someone for financial purposes. So 100%, yes, you did have a master.

You did have to obey that master in every sense of the word. And so In some sense, you kind of belong [00:03:00] to him, I suppose, but you were doing that in a way to move yourself ahead financially. Like a lot of times people who had gone bankrupt or who were in poverty, uh, would sell themselves out as bond servants so that they could be cared for.

Like they would move into somebody's household and they would have resources that were not available to them otherwise. And as they lived in that household, they would hope to gain a better financial footing and be on their way at some point. So yes, there is a power differential here. I don't want to hide that.

Um, but it is, it did look a little bit different. And what's interesting is that Paul is actually, um, recognizing that both the master and the bond servant are equals, which would have been very radical. I mean, certainly the, the, the slaves and masters situation in the, uh, in the United States in the 17 and 18 hundreds, they were not saying that they were equals, um, here, Paul saying, Hey.

You guys are equals. If you're believers, you need to care for each other as brothers. And so he's trying to do what he can in the culture [00:04:00] of the day to make sure that when you come to Christ, it actually changes who you are. And if you're a master over a bond servant, you show incredible care and compassion for that bond servant in a Christian manner.

And if you are somebody who has a master as a bond servant, you're You're showing incredible Christian care and concern for your master, both bringing honor to Christ in the early church. Um, this was a huge problem because it was the first time in all of history when a bond servants and masters were on the same page and were seen as equal partners in working for the gospel.

And so many early churches really struggled with this. And so this would have been helpful, um, to hear. And you'll see some of this language in some of the household codes, like in a Colossians. Um, And I can't think of where the other one is right now. I think it's in Ephesians. Uh, you'll see some of that bond servant and master language where Paul's encouraging a mutual respect.

And even as we get, we'll get into, uh, the book of Philemon at some point. Even in the book of Philemon, [00:05:00] uh, Paul's dealing with a specific bond, servant master relationship with Philemon and ESUs and the way that he handles it is really interesting. So if you're interested in learning more about this, you can look forward to when we get to that book and dive into the context of that book.

Um, because. Paul's again, encouraging them to care for each other and respect each other. This verse, like what we were just talking about, this verse in Galatians three 28 is actually where my mind went immediately, uh, where Paul says prior. Well, actually prior. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, well, I don't know the chronological stuff anyway.

Uh, Galatians 328, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. So it refers back to that idea of bond servants again. Um, so this is like no new thing because he's actually teaching this across the board to many churches and many people that are dealing with this Similar issue, so, and when you're a Christian and [00:06:00] when you understand that everyone, regardless of circumstance, is made in the image of God, certainly it changes how you handle these kinds of relationships, and Paul is encouraging that these kinds of relationships would change.

So, I found this next part very interesting. So I think he's coming back around again to false teachers and there's a little bit about contentment in here as well. But what I think is very interesting, like I said, is that we're coming back to false teachers. This is like a huge problem and a huge thing that, um, is coming up again.

Uh, he's like warning Timothy again to just stay firm. In his faith and to really just be aware of the lies and false teachings that are going to be around him. Um, and I can think of any, you know, new pastor that I would assume has some kind of mentorship or leadership that is like helping him to, [00:07:00] I don't know, lead a church or a group of people well, and Paul does just that, like he's.

Reminding him constantly of, like, guard your heart against these things because the knowledge that exists, um, among people that are trying to lead you astray is very tempting to sometimes fall into. Or maybe you don't even, maybe you're not tempted, you just kind of fall into it. Um, and he's reminding him again.

It's so important to, like, stick to what you've been taught, um, and not fall into the stuff that so easily entangles us. One of the particular false teachings that I want to touch on that he seems to be addressing is highlighted in verse five. Um, who, um, it kind of picks up a mid thought, uh, who are depraved false teachers who are depraved in mind and to pray for the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain, but godliness with contentment is great gain.

So that's kind of the first argument [00:08:00] he's going to make. And then a couple of verses later, he's going to talk about how the love of money is the root of all evil. So he seems to be talking specifically about financial concerns and how there is false teaching around finances. And what's interesting to me, and I think.

Get ready for a hot take here. Um, he's saying like, beware of people that are teaching that godliness is a means of gain that flies directly in the face to our prosperity gospel folks, uh, that are teaching that you should know and follow Christ because He will give you lots of stuff that does not seem to be the clear formula that the Bible teaches like we are to be godly because we desire to be godly.

Jenny's knocking over the kitchen clock that we use to time how long we're going here. We are to be godly to honor Christ. And there are many, many, many, many people. People who have lived many, um, many different cultures and contexts that loving and following Christ has cost them everything. They did not gain money.

In fact, they lost a lot of money [00:09:00] and they ended up, you know, poor and destitute in the world's eyes, but Godly in God's eyes. And so, you know, if you're. Hearing someone and I, I guess I could start naming people if I really wanted to, um, that, that are teaching that godliness is a means of gain. That is a very, very popular false teaching in our world today.

And it's just simply not true. And unfortunately, that kind of false teaching discourages and misleads a lot of people because they assume that they can just mislead others. Um, become rich because they're Christians, and that is not what the Bible teaches. Certainly, there are many people who are wealthy Christians, and that is not a bad thing, uh, but we do not follow God and follow Jesus because of the gain that it produces.

And that's why Paul continues, um, verse six, godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of it. Out of the world. The, the thing that matters most to us as Christians is Christ. Not what we get, not [00:10:00] what we gain, not how we move ahead, but honoring and worshiping Christ with everything that we do.

And I don't think it's by mistake that he moves into what I, what I say is probably a more well known passage for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierce themselves with many pangs. Like if, if you come to faith because you think you will get rich.

You are being deceived and most likely you have not come to authentic faith. Certainly there are people that are wealthy Christians, a hundred percent, and that is not a bad thing. But all of us, um, are prone to falling into this love of money. It's not wrong to have money. It's definitely wrong to love money.

And you can see Paul cautioning Timothy about this for the church, but also about this for his own life. And I think it's a timely warning. We should not be following Christ because we think it will make us rich. I think something else, too, to be noted, I know this is specifically talking about money, um, or financial gain, whatever, but I [00:11:00] think there, I've, myself included, Along the way, and many people that I know would also just place their own personal desires.

Um, if I do this for God, he will deliver on this for me. He will give me a husband, he'll give me kids, he'll give me a car that I want, a house that I want. that I want, whatever the thing is. I know some of those are related to money, but sometimes we put our desires in those places too. And I think that's worth calling out, uh, because it's like this unrealistic expectation that God is like a, like a vending machine almost like here, I'll give you, I'll give you my money for the church.

I'll give you my Sunday mornings. Make sure you give me what I want. Um, so I think that that could probably get thrown in there too, although this is specifically referring to money. And a lot of times when your faith is tied up in those kinds of things, you become disillusioned, um, disappointed. I was going to say very disappointed because it's like, why isn't God doing what he needs to do for me?

[00:12:00] And he doesn't actually need to do anything. Like our, our joy is in doing his will and honoring him and worshiping him. We don't worship him in exchange for goods and services. We worship him because he is God and he already provides us with everything that we need. Um, if he feeds the birds and close the flowers, like surely he will take care of us, his children, who he loves.

And certainly he, he. Cares for us and provides for us. We've seen that in our own lives. I'm guessing some of you that comes back around to, to the, the whole idea of this section about contentment too, because contentment is being okay with what God has provided. And I think it's a perspective change sometimes too, because we can get so laser focused on what we want rather than what has been provided.

And when you look around, if you can pull yourself out of it and say, Oh, wow, like, although that. Not what I wanted or expected. Look at all this that God has done. I think that's been [00:13:00] challenged. I will say to put an extra spin on this. Um, I was reading over some, some finance stuff, just different thinker, different Christian devotionals on finance.

And I came across this one guy, um, that was teaching that Christians do not exist to make money. Like our, our goal is not to. Make ourselves rich, but, uh, when you are a Christian, you, you should have a desire to want to do everything you possibly can to build and contribute to God's kingdom. And so it's not bad, and I think it's clear here that Paul's teaching this, like, it's not bad, uh, to have a lot of money because when you have a lot of money, you can use it to build God's kingdom and honor God more.

But if your motivation is solely just to be rich and enrich yourself and build your own personal wealth, like ultimately you will be disappointed, um, because you'll find that you are not finding joy in your wealth, but you can find a lot of joy in using the wealth that God has given you to continue God's purposes and continue building God's kingdom and impacting [00:14:00] culture.

So, um, you know, As Christians, we should not live, uh, to gain lots of wealth. Also as Christians, maybe it's worth noting that we should not be purposely living poor either. Um, it's, it's not wrong, um, to be paid for your work and it's not wrong to be compensated fairly. Um, but again, like the, the primary focus in our life is honoring God and we should be striving to build his kingdom.

So if you are a wealthy Christian, use that wealth to build God's kingdom. Um, if you are a, you know, Poor Christian, like find contentment in the situation that you have and know that God is continuing to care for your needs. And it's not wrong to try to move ahead in your financial situation so that you can bring more honor and glory to him.

But again, just so that I'm clear, like honoring Jesus is not a way to build your wealth. Um, so that I think that's an important part. And, and actually I'll add, uh, unless, do you want to throw in on that at all? Uh, not on that part. I have another area that we can end on. Well, I, I was headed towards verse 20.

Is that where you're going? [00:15:00] Yep. All right. So take us to verse 20. Uh, this verse is important because we come right off of money talk. So it's important that we understand what is actually being said here. Just like a final warning for Timothy, verse 20. Oh, Timothy, guard and deposit, or excuse me, guard the deposit entrusted to you.

Avoid the irre excuse me, avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it, some have swerved from the faith. So he's like giving that final stretch of like, hey, hang tight, hold to what you have been taught, um, hold to what has been, essentially just been like, Placed on you the faith that has been given to you.

Yes Yeah, and it can be confusing because there's so much financial language and then he uses deposit. Yes, that really so it's like wait a minute I thought he was telling Timothy not to want to get rich and now he's telling Timothy to guard his deposits He's not referring to his savings account He's not [00:16:00] referring to his finances at all He's referring to his faith and encouraging him to persevere and continue to grow his faith And that's That's how he rounds out the letter.

Um, so as far as your part goes, I would encourage you just to examine your own life and see where your financial standing is and see if your finances reflect the glory of God. And one of the ways I like to do that when I teach on this in the most pointed way possible is get out your credit card statements, get out your bank account statements, whatever it is.

Good log into your finance financial accounts and ask yourself if what you see on the screen or on the page, uh, is evidence of you glorifying God with your finances, uh, or evidence of you building your own tiny little kingdom, like gathering things that will pass away. And I think just to be open and be Frank, uh, Jenny and I have had plenty of times in our life where we're like, holy cow, like our finances are not glorifying God.

And we need to reorient. I would say we, we certainly do not have this figured out perfectly. I'm sure we have lots of [00:17:00] room to grow. So I don't want you to hear me acting like I have this all figured out. Um, but it is a good exercise to regularly evaluate your finances, uh, and not with the lens of like, am I building my personal wealth, but am I building the wealth of God's kingdom?

And oftentimes, you know, when we start asking those questions, we're moved to in a different way. And so don't be afraid of money. But don't worship money. Worship God. I will be back again tomorrow with second Timothy for a second. Timothy one, we'll be starting the second book. I don't know why I can't find words.

Uh, we'll see you then. Thanks for listening to today's episode. Before we get to the reading, I want to recommend another podcast that I'm a part of called God's whole story. This year, we're releasing one episode a week on Monday mornings, overviewing one book of the Bible each week. So God's plan. Your part is a deep dive chapter by chapter where God's whole story is taking it one book at a time.

If you enjoy this podcast, you'll enjoy that one. Go check it out. Now here's the reading. First Timothy chapter six. Let all [00:18:00] 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. Those who have been 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 all things. 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, 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, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and depraved in the truth. Imagining that godliness is a means of gain, but godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food [00:19:00] and clothing, with these we will be content. 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.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of 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. 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, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time.

He who is blessed and only sovereign, the King of [00:20:00] kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in inapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for the rich in the 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. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube.

Let us know what you thought of [00:21:00] today's episode, and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpartatgmail. com. As always, if you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use, uh, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you.

Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.