The Christian’s Use of Possessions

GOLDEN TEXT: “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.” —I Timothy 6:10

I TIMOTHY 6:6-19

THE Scriptures declare that “the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 10:22) In the storehouse of riches provided for us by the Lord are such treasures as “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, [and] meekness.” Paul also speaks of being “rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”

Christians become “rich in good works” because they thereby lay “up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold upon eternal life.” This is in keeping with Jesus’ instructions to the rich young nobleman, when he said to him that by bestowing his goods to feed the poor he would be laying up “treasure in heaven.”—Matt. 19:21

This cost was too high for the young nobleman, and it is likewise too high for all except those who have fully devoted themselves to the Lord and to his service. Only by faith is it possible to see the wisdom of giving up temporal riches in exchange for heavenly treasures, and “all men have not faith.” (II Thess. 3:2) Paul’s instructions to Timothy were intended only for consecrated followers of the Master, and these alone can understand and appreciate them.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain,” wrote Paul. This is a truism which cannot successfully be challenged. One might possess all the material wealth in the world, yet if discontented he would be poor and miserable. But to enjoy God’s favor and be content with such material blessings as he provides is to be rich indeed.

In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower he explained that the seed which fell among thorns represents those who become overcharged with the pleasures and cares of this world. This is the thought expressed in our lesson—“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown [Christian] men in destruction and perdition.”

It is often said that “money is the root of all evil,” but what Paul wrote was that “the love of money is the root of all evil.” The principal application of this is in the experience of the Lord’s consecrated people. This is evident from Paul’s further explanation—“which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Paul admonished Timothy, and us, to “fight the good fight of faith.” It requires a “fight” based upon faith in the unseen heavenly treasures to turn ones back upon the opportunity of laying up treasures on earth. To be “content” with “food and raiment” and distribute any surplus which the Lord may supply for the promotion of the truth or for other Christian service, does not come natural to the flesh.

Paul speaks of his admonition to “fight the good fight of faith” as being a “commandment,” a commandment given “in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” By this we are reminded that even though we lay down life itself in sacrifice and service, God is able to, and will, quicken us in the resurrection. The reference to the good confession Jesus made before Pilate is that he willingly did actually give up his life in sacrifice.

This Christian way of sacrifice was to be continued, Paul wrote, “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, this is the divine program for the entire Gospel age. It is not simply a matter of sacrificing material wealth, but of devoting life itself to the service of the Lord.

Jesus, who was “rich” in heavenly glory, for our sakes became poor—so poor that it was said of him that he had not where to lay his head. Because of his faithfulness, he was highly exalted and is now “the King of kings and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see.”

Here, as is so frequently the case when certain references are made to the greatness and high position of Jesus, the Heavenly Father is excepted. When Paul wrote these words Jesus was the only one who had been rewarded with “immortality,” but the Heavenly Father had always possessed it. How strange in view of this direct and definite statement of truth that so many continue to insist that all human beings are inherently immortal! Truly, that great lie of Satan, “Thou shalt not surely die,” has taken a deep hold upon human thinking. Let us accept Paul’s words, and rejoice in the assurance that if we patiently continue in well-doing, we will ultimately be rewarded with “glory and honor and immortality.”—Rom. 2:7

QUESTIONS

What are some of the true riches enjoyed by Christians?

Do the admonitions of this lesson apply to all mankind?

What is one aspect of the Christian’s good fight of faith?

How much did Jesus sacrifice, and how was he rewarded?

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