Scripture
Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.

Observation
People who are rich in this world should not be proud. They shouldn’t trust their money which is so unreliable. Instead, they should put their trust in God, being rich in good works and generosity.

Timothy should guard what God has entrusted to him. He should avoid godless, foolish discussions with opponents who flaunt their so-called knowledge.

Application
What has God entrusted to me?

• a ministry of pastoral care and teaching
• a dynamic faith community
• the gospel of Jesus Christ
• true knowledge of God and His word
• spiritual gifts

We all have received these things and much more from the Lord, and therefore should guard them as a treasured gift.

The “so-called knowledge” was probably a reference to the various gnostic sects. They thought that by learning various secrets of spiritual knowledge, we could shake off the sinful physical world and ascend to higher levels of spiritual purity. While they blended together teachings from various religions, including Christianity, they were far from the true faith.

We must avoid the temptation of chasing Bible secrets and mystical formulas for our salvation. It is our relationship with Jesus that sets us free from all sin. That is all we need.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are my living King. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen

Scripture

For at just the right time, Christ will be revealed from Heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Observation

People who long to be rich fall into all kinds of temptations. Money is a root of all kinds of evil. People have wandered away from the faith because of it.

Timothy is a man of God and will run away from these evil things. He should fight the good fight for the faith. If he does this without wavering, no one will find fault with him.

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from Heaven by Almighty God. He lives in light so brilliant that no human eye can see him.

Application

Many people spend a lot of time delving into the time and manner of Christ’s return. Many books have been written claiming to have the date worked out.

Regardless of what the latest teaching tells us about this, Christ will be revealed at the right time appointed by God. We don’t have to worry about these things, but rather we should be listening for what the Holy Spirit is telling us in this moment.

All of these things, both the cosmic “big picture” events and the mundane events of our daily lives are in God’s hands. We must trust Him and look to Him as our defender and protector in uncertain times. He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.

Prayer

I thank you Lord that you are in control of the world and of my life. Help me to trust you always. Amen

Scripture

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth

Observation

Slaves must respect their masters, especially if the master is also a believer.

Timothy is encouraged to teach all these things. Those who contradict Paul’s teaching quibble over the meanings of words and stir up division.

True godliness with contentment is great wealth. We came into the world with nothing and we will leave the world with nothing. If we have enough food and clothing we should be content.

Application

If you have enough to live on, you don’t need anything more. There are people who are never happy with what they have. They have to have the latest model car, the best new gadgets, up-to-date fashions, and so on. Even with all this, they still want more.

True peace comes when we are content with what we have and thankful to God who is the provider of every good thing.

Living in relationship with God and honouring Him with our lifestyle is storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven. This is the eternal source of wealth, far better than gold or silver.

To combine godliness with contentment means that we are storing up eternal wealth and not lacking anything in this life either. Our hearts are fixed on God, our eyes focused on heaven, and nothing can disturb us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this recipe for true riches – godliness and contentment. Amen

Scripture

Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgement. There are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious and the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Observation

Elders should be paid well for their work in the church because workers deserve their pay.

Accusations against elders must be backed up by witnesses. Sins as should be reprimanded before the whole church.

Don’t be in a hurry to appoint church leaders.

Some sine are obvious, but others only come to light later. Similarly the good deeds of some people are obvious to all, but others will be revealed one day.

Application

Sometimes it is easy to see when people are sinning. Violence, lies, and fraud might remain hidden for now, but eventually everything comes to light.

Even if such things are never exposed in this life, everyone will give an account on the day of judgement, before a God who sees all of our deeds and the motives for them.

Similarly, some people’s good deeds are obvious to everybody. Others do things quietly, bringing kindness and joy on a daily basis without any recognition. These deeds will also be brought to light on judgement day.

the Lord accounts for it all so that, despite appearances in this life, everybody will be punished in the end.

Those who trust in the Lord and receive forgiveness from Jesus are exempted from this. The blood of Jesus cancels every sin – whether small or big, unseen or infamous. Jesus’ death on the cross is the sacrifice for every human sin.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus for setting me free from my sin and for taking the punishment in my place. Amen

Scripture

If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.

Observation

To be on the church’s list for support, a widow must be at least 60 years old. She must be a woman of great virtue in the church.

Younger widows do not need to be supported by the church. They will probably remarry and will be prone to laziness and gossip. They should seek to marry marry and to look after their own families so that satan does not lead them astray.

Believers, especially women, should take responsibility for their own relatives and not require the church to do this for them.

Application

Our society is structured very differently to Roman society of 2000 years ago. Some of the problems Paul alludes to here can be seen in areas where governments provide Social Security benefits without requiring any obligation of recipients.

Family should care for their own members. Those who have no family to help them and who genuinely need help should be cared for by the church. This is the community expression of love for one another.

What this is really saying is that we need to keep an eye out for one another in the church. I do not need help today, but next week I might get sick and need specific help to do things I cannot do for myself. Similarly, when a brother or sister in the Lord find themselves in difficult times, I need to be ready to step up and give them a hand.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Body of Christ that shows care for one another in practical ways. Help me to be ready to provide support in whatever ways I can. Amen

Scripture

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

Reflection

Dearly beloved children, the church is my family and your family. You live in a world with no conception of genuine family relationships. You must learn to sincerely love one another.

Those who are older you must treat as you would your own mother and father. I tell you, my beloved, that you can learn this relational way of being from me for I am your father.

Let all your relationships be marked by my love, agape love. Those who are older deserve your respect.

There is no place for sexual exploitation in my family. Treat each other with all purity and do not ever treat my children as objects for lust or sexual sin. Whatever you do to the least of these you do to me.

Prayer

Lord, I bless your holy name. You are raising a household of royal priests for your glory. May your church recognise its holy calling. Amen

Scripture

Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefit in this life and the life to come.

Reflection

Too many of my people spend too much time and energy debating, arguing, and ranting about politics and ideologies. These things are important, but they must not take you away from your primary calling- to worship and serve me.

Physical training is of some use. Different people have been called to different levels of activity, but do not let the gym become a substitute for worship, or cycling a substitute for prayer.

The enemy is always looking to blow you off course, my child. Keep your eyes on me. Keep your focus on me.

How do you train for godliness? I have given you all the resources you need – my Word, listening prayer, fellowship, instruction, sacraments.

You may say you have no need of one or more of these, but that is a deception and will quickly lead to spiritual sickness, decay, and death.

My child, pursue me. pursue godliness.

Prayer

O Father,how I love you! Please keep me on track. Help me to choose godliness over worldliness, the Spirit over the flesh. Amen

Scripture

Without question this is the Great Mystery of the faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit

He was seen by angels and announced to the nations

He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory

Reflection

What is the mystery of faith? What is the hidden thing that is now revealed? It is Christ in the flesh

Beloved, it was for your sake that I became a human being. I put aside, for a time, the splendour and majesty of the throne of Heaven. I came and dwelt among you and I died for the remission of sins.

Every being in heaven has seen this and you have too. I revealed this mystery to you so that you could be a part of my kingdom, my family.

Many have seen the truth, but they rejected it. It is to their shame and eternal sorrow that they walk away from my redemption.

Other see it and accept it, but they fail to grow. They focus on an easy salvation. They will fall over the line into heaven, but they will not claim all the blessings I have for them

Others will receive the fullness of my Kingdom in this life as well as in eternity.

Prayer

Father, please help me to know everything there is to be known about the mystery of faith. Let me walk in the fullness of your mercy today and always. Amen

Scripture

People outside the church must speak well of him, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

Reflection

My guidelines for the character of christian leaders are specific but flexible.

These are principles not laws. The leaders in my church will above all be people who love me deeply and passionately. They will be people who love others and pour themselves out in serving others.

These are the people who are beyond reproach, who live faithful lives. They are not in any way perfect, but they know they are restored by my grace.

The titles of the office change, and the particulars vary, but the men and women of God are people who live in humble fellowship with me and who study my word.

Being an “elder” is not a reward for long service. It is rather a recognition of a person of true character who carries the respect of the church and the community.

This description is really the description of any mature believer. They have devoted themselves to me and have overcome their sin in the power of my Spirit.

Prayer

Please Lord, raise up these mature believers in the faith. Let everyone who claims to follow you take the call so seriously that you change every part of their lives. Amen

Scripture

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Observation

In every place of worship, men must pray with hands and hearts that are holy and dedicated to the Lord.

Women must be modest in their dress, not drawing attention to themselves with ostentatious hair arrangements or expensive clothes and jewellery. Women should learn submissively. They should not lord it over the men.

Application

People can be proud in their public worship. They draw attention to themselves in the way they pray or in their appearance.

God is not interested in these human power games. He wants hearts that are focused on Him, hearts that are surrendered to Him.

So we pray with holy hands. Our hands must not be a party to sin during the week. God will cleanse us from sin, but we have to ask Him and confess our sins before we get to worship.

Our hands should be lifted to God in surrender to Him. We reach up to Him as the source of every good thing.

We must be free from anger and controversy. If we are not walking in genuine love with our brothers and sisters, then how can we seek the presence of the Lord?

Worship and prayer are not about actions. God judges our hearts and not our outward appearance.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you command us to be holy, just as you are holy. Please help me to approach your throne confidently, but always in the knowledge of your grace. Amen