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1 Timothy 6:3–5
In 1 Timothy 6:3–5 (NKJV) the Apostle Paul addresses those who have fallen under the false teaching that if one comes close to God, He will then give great possessions. Paul hits the point directly by stating of these false teachers, “3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
This is a command to be aware of false teachings that promise possessions for following Jesus.
God is capable of all things, and He is capable of answering all our prayers. But we should not approach God in prayer as if because we feel a deep desire for God to answer our prayers as we wish that He would do so as if we are the one in charge. Even Jesus, as being God in human form, relied not on His own fleshly will but the will of His heavenly Father. Jesus declares in John 5:30, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.”
God gives us great gifts at His will, which is so much greater than our own. Sometimes God closes a door only to open another one that we had no idea was even better than the one we thought was the one we needed. To praise God with expectations to get things is a false teaching. Jesus declares in Matthew 6:19–21, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus later adds in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus came to this lowly sinful earth to take upon Himself our sins to the cross so that for everyone who believes in Him shall receive His righteousness to the glory of God.
Dear LORD,
There is nothing on this earth that is more important than to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ Jesus. Please help us to see that You are the giver of all things, but You are what we should seek – not the things. In Jesus name I pray, amen.