The Wise Servant

1 Tim 6:1 Let 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.

There were slaves in that day and there are slaves today. Some were willing bondslaves, while others were just held captive. Many are forced to be where they do not want to be, whether in a bad situation, a marriage where no love is, in a job that requires all their time or even in a prison. Regardless of where we are, if in Christ, we are a child of the king. Because of this our behavior is with grace and good works. Do your best to not bring dishonor to another who is over you.

1 Tim 6:2 And 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.

If you are a servant to a believer, then you can understand the heart and show love and good service to him. We are not to expect special treatment, just because he is your brother. Honest labor will benefit you both.

1 Tim 6:3 If 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;

There are masters or spiritual teachers, but above all our real master is the LORD. We are to speak as a son of God, full of goodness and mercy. We are to know and understand the word of God in the Bible, so that we may please him and be like Jesus. Beware of false teachers and false brethren who speak another gospel. You will know them by their fruit. A snake speaks as a snake, sly, lying, not to be trusted. A teacher is to speak good words from God; even the words of our Lord, teaching the word of God that builds you up in the faith. Examine the teaching by the word of God in the Bible. Be like the Berean's in Pauls day.

Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

1 Tim 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

The false one will pretend to know more and better things, he will be proud, but we will see his tricks, using questions to deceive and words to bring strife. The Spirit of God will warn you of such a one. The fruit of the devil: envy, as satan envied God the Father and wanted to take His place. Envy as the religious leaders who brought Jesus to Pilate to be crucified. Pride seeks to control or destroy those in their path. Jealousy, fighting, slander and evil suspicions. They seek to control you, which is why we need to be with others of faith.

1 Tim 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

These seek to win arguments, thinking if they win an argument that they are better than you. They seek financial gain, supposing this is godliness: do not associate with them, they will rob you of your faith as well as your money, if it be possible. Remember Judas who was entrusted with the purse, but who betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. What is your treasure?

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

This is sound advice. Many never have enough things, they always are seeking more. Many are in debt because they have desired things they could not afford. They are unable to give to another's need because they themselves are in debt.

Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

1 Tim 6:9 But 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.

They who desire, they that covet riches fall into temptations, lusts, and unexpected problems, with many foolish (useless and godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing. This is not godly contentment. James says more about this.

James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

1 Tim 6:10 For 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.

He does not say that money is evil, it is the lusting after it that is evil. This desire can draw you away from God and into the world with many heartaches and despair. What do you desire wealth for? To please another? To satisfy your greed? Personal security and providing for those in need; as well as supporting missionaries and the local church is a good use of money.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

In the end times people will give up their soul to satan, so that they can buy things and sell things. We seek the LORD for our supply and we use what he gives us wisely.

1 Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Flee what things? Many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. They have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

What did this? The desire to be rich and the lusting after money. What then? Seek godliness with contentment in God's Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit here mentioned: follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Faith is a fight? Who do we fight? We fight our own lusts and desires and the attacks of the devil. The world system is also the antagonist against God and godliness. Lay hold, take possession of eternal life; Jesus is our righteousness, in which you were called and professed faith before many witnesses. In other words do not let go of Jesus and run after wealth in the world, others are watching you. Share what God has given to you, as wise and good servants in his trust for what he has given to you. Be wise with your life and who and what has control over you. You belong to the LORD first and we are to serve him with all that he gives to us.