King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 5 notes
1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Not so in our days; believers cheat and destroy the work of their masters...
They practice not the faith.
2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, where of cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
We see that drifting away from sound doctrine comes with it many errors.
See, those greedy for gain have accompanying flaws and errors.
We must seek to stay in sound doctrine, else we risk falling into much error.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Amen 🙏
7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out.
8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
The love of money is the root of all evil 😈. Many have tried justifying and explaining this scripture by saying the love of money, not money itself, is the root of all evil 😈.
But then we all need money, so how do we pursue the need for money without falling into this error?
The answer is in the subsequent statement. It says some so pursued and loved money that they erred from the faith.
That was how the love of money had entered their hearts and taken the place of even their faith. At that point you should know that you are no longer just trying to make a living,
money has taken hold of you. It's a slippery ground, so as believers we ought to be careful.
No believer starts out to be controlled by mammon, but rather to have enough and some more, with maybe the intention of supporting the church ⛪.
But soon enough a little more becomes just too much.
This road is so slippery, we have seen men of God taken over and possessed by it. It really is a slippery slope.
So Paul admonishes, having food and raiment we are content. For those with families, I would add, and shelter we are content.
Lord help 😣 Lord have mercy
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Amen 🙏