Wesley Word – September 21, 2022

Carolyn Lemaster   -   September 21, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, September 25th

Experiencing Grace

 

Exploring Truth

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Be Content

OK, I admit it, this has turned it into a little series on 1 Timothy! As we come to the close of 1 Timothy, Paul gets to the subject of money. Paul encourages Timothy to be content because that is the great secret to happiness.

Paul reminds Timothy that we cannot take our money with us, so we should be content if we have what we need. Later, he will remind Timothy that God often provides us not just with the basic necessities of life, but all things for our enjoyment.

We are used to hearing that money is the root of all evil, and that is the way verse 10 is translated in the King James Version. However, the literal translation would be, “The root of all evil is the love of silver.” It is not money itself that is the problem, but the love of it. The NIV and other translations soften it even more, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” This reminds us that not all evil comes from the love of money, but it is a big source. As Paul reminds Timothy, those who want to get rich often end up getting into all kinds of trouble.

Paul tells Timothy to flee from that trap and to command those who are rich to put their trust in God and not in money and to be generous. Because we trust in God to provide for us, we can all be content and generous.

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • September 21    Galatians 6:1-18
  • September 22    Ephesians 1:1 -23
  • September 23    Ephesians 2:1 -22
  • September 24    Ephesians 3:1 -21
  • September 25    Ephesians 4:1 -16
  • September 26    Ephesians 4:1 7-32
  • September 27    Ephesians 5:1 -33
  • September 28    Ephesians 6:1 -24

 

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

Money in of itself is not evil, it’s just a piece of metal, a piece of paper, a chunk of gold, etc. It is what we do with it and we, as humans, wanting more of it is the problem. To be fully content with what we have is what Paul is telling Timothy. We work hard to make money in order to pay for our homes, put food on our tables, have clothes to cover ourselves with, etc. Us working hard for our money is NOT the problem, this is us doing what we need to do in order to take care of ourselves and our families. The problem is when we decide that we need more money and more stuff. We start to border on greed, one of the ten commandments is “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.” Exodus 20:17. This is not only a commandment, it is also one of the 7 deadly sins, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Hebrews 13:5

So let us take an inventory of a time when we decided that what we had was not enough but that we had to have more. In the end, did having more make you feel better or worse. Are you trading your happiness in pursuit of obtaining more money?

Our devout love and faith in God and the scripture is the ultimate currency, it can never be taken away. This currency will be with you forever.

 

Announcements

WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm. Refreshments, devotions, and adult classes and programming for youth and children.

Jackson Concerts Series presents:

  • September 22, 7:30pm, Tony Brown – Songs and Stories of Peace, Hope and Justice
  • September 29, 7:30pm – Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

Muscatine CROP Hunger Walk needs walkers and donations. So far Wesley has Deb Hughes, Judy Brotherton, and Sunday Morning Live along with the Muscatine Youth Choir. See Judy Brotherton to walk or give a walker a donation. Make Checks payable to “CROP”, or you can give online at www.crophungerwalk.org/muscatineia.  Look for Wesley United Methodist.