In 1 Timothy Chapter 6, we are given things to flee and things to pursue. Our ego would make success highly complicated and unattainable by most so that you feel special and unique in your quest for success. This leads to the attitude of entitlement. Wealthy people tend to view themselves in this light and that is why they are frequently warned of the snares associated with money. Incidentally, those who are poor and focus solely on money have the same issue. Greed spans all income levels.
3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. NASB
As I said in Sunday’s Bible study: at a minimum, read the words Jesus spoke in the Gospels. Paul emphasizes His Words here. The words Jesus spoke conform us to godliness. Anyone who tells you otherwise understands nothing. These people who do not know the words and intent of Jesus create controversy and disputes. They create friction among the brethren because they are deprived of the Truth. If your words or actions are creating friction, division, or strife among the brethren, Stop! This person is moved by control and manipulation, not by the spirit of Love.
We are told in Chapter 2 to pray for all men:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
If all men could not be restored to a full and complete relationship with Our Heavenly Father, we would not be urged to pray for them. We must view others through the eyes of Jesus. We must align our intent with the Divine Intent of Love. If you are doing nothing for others then you have not aligned yourself with HIS Intent. As you align yourself with HIM, you will lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. We brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out so we must quit focusing on the temporal things in life, money being the most temporary on the list.
6:9 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.
We are being warned of the snares associated with money and greed. It also refers to those who have strayed from the faith. We must be vigilant to pursue the things that matter to the long term and consistent walk of godliness. What must we pursue?
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Each one of these areas of pursuit will be tested in your life. The test is designed to determine your level of maturity in each aspect. You must actively pursue them for they will not just drop down on you one day as some entitlement bestowed on special people. We are called to mature as sons and daughters, tried and tested in our preparation. There are actions we are called to take. We are told to “pursue”!
These areas of pursuit deal with our interaction with others. We are called to minister by being an example for others to see and experience. Those who cannot hear directly from Our Heavenly Father need our ministry. Yes, there will be some who reject the Words Jesus spoke and will pursue those things which we are fleeing from. At some point, we must let them take their chosen path toward judgment and correction. It may be painful but necessary to remove the root of bitterness and other deep-seated issues in their life. Our prayers for them will help sustain them through their time of correction. Until then, we must patiently endure their immaturity with gentleness. As we walk in faith when adversity comes, it will be an encouragement to them that are still immature. We must not let the immature keep us from focusing on what we are called to pursue. We must be strengthened in our own prayer time in order to help others set the proper course of pursuit.