1 Timothy 6:11-21

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Paul does two things as he begins his conclusion to this letter. Both are very descriptive. First he tells Timothy to run away from the allure and tempting seduction of money. The “these things” of verse 11 is a reference to the whole issue of verses 1–10, especially beginning at verse 3. The Christian leader should and will have a profound influence over people and their wealth. Working with people of means while desiring to be a man of means will ruin a leader. The addition of wealth and income to the ministry vocation can become golden handcuffs that pervert and ruin the heart of a leader. Working more effectively than sexual misconduct for a leader's ruin is the enemy of wealth. Overt sexual misconduct is spectacular but is less common than the struggle for money. A minister has to deal with money every day as he pays for his food, lodging, and other necessities. We can’t do ministry outside of the context of money. Often we don’t know how to have conversations about money. Since we don't talk honestly and openly about the contact points of money and ministry, the generational wisdom Paul gave to us has died.

Second, Paul talks about the struggle of ministries. Verse 12 could be translated, “Agonize the good agony of faith; seize the trophy, the trophy of eternal life.” The words agony and seize are descriptive words taken from the Olympic Games. The “many witnesses” is a reference to the spectators in the stadium. The call of leadership is an agony that agonizes. Seizing the prize is a reference to winning the laurel wreath at the end of the contest. The struggle is not a career; it is a passion. It is not a job; it is a conquest. In many churches, leadership has been dumbed down to being a chaplain for those who forged the golden handcuffs. The “pay to preach” mindset leaves us with the busy work of making people happy, rather than the profoundly powerful and world-changing good confession that Jesus is King, Lord, and the Messiah. The small vision of making people happy will not compel the faithful and can never attract the lost. But ‘Jesus is Lord’ and can and will do both.

“Lord, give a godly passion to your faithful servants for fight the good fight. AMEN”