260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 196 - 1 Timothy 6: Properness with Bosses, Money & Trust

Yep – Paul continues with properness. Why? Because Timothy is young and needs to be reminded – and so do we! He begins with “masters” – present day = bosses. We are to consider them “…worthy of full respect…” This term translates into diligent and faithful work to one’s employer. In other words, we are to work hard for our bosses, not playing around or being lazy when they’re not around. Doing that would be considered theft since it would mean stealing the labor that they’re paying us for. Next he addresses money. Apparently some were thinking that “…godliness was a means to financial gain.” The key here is contentment – just being satisfied with what you have. Sad, but not really our culture huh?! “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Money isn’t evil, for it has been invested in many great things of God, but the LOVE of it is! And true riches don’t involve money but being “…rich in good deeds…..generous and willing to share…” Finally, Paul tells Timothy to guard the truth! The Word of God that you & I possess is invaluable and we are to guard it as we would our most precious possession! SO WHAT?! *So, how do you treat your boss? Maybe you don’t have one yet, but most of us at one point will and our attitude towards them is important. Colossians 3:23 says that “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” So…..how ya’ doin’? *How do you handle money? We often think, “how much of my money should I give to the LORD” when the real question should be, “How much of God’s money does He want me to keep and where does He want me to put the rest?” *Finally, how are you guarding the truth God has given you in His word? Do you read it? Study it? Memorize it? Defend it? Share it?