Daily Devotions - In the Presence of Witnesses

1 Timothy 6:2-16 (NIV)
2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with th6tat. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Final Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

 

Of what value were witnesses to Timothy?

 

This world is filled with all kinds of corruption, temptations, and society has moved away from You. Most people have become self-centered and filled with pride over possessions and worldly status. Lord forgive us. I pray that I am not overcome by the things of the world. I pray that my life is taken up with things of God and that my focus in life is to bring honor to You. Help me be a good steward of my finances and be content in what I have so that I can properly use my wealth for serving and worship.  Let my witness be of my surrender to You by loving You above the love of all things that wealth can buy. Allow Your church to grow in its stewardship of time and resources to be a great witness of Your love to the community and to the outside world. As we serve those in need, we will be presented with opportunities to witness about Your grace and love to those who may not know You. Give us the words and courage to witness our faith and bring others to You which will fill our hearts with Your eternal joy. Amen