“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.   Grace be with you” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

The teaching of “higher knowledge” continues to this day.  Inquiring minds want to know.  You have been called into the true faith and although you hunger for knowledge, it is righteousness that we should long for.  Seek first the Kingdom of God and then all else that is needed will be added.  Do not chase after the vain things of this world but be transformed by the truth of the revelation of the Lord.

Lord, You have made the Good Confession and have revealed the truth of salvation.  There are those in this world who chase after knowledge.  Is it not the chasing of knowledge that got us into this sin mess?  Help me, Lord, not to be intentionally ignorant, but neither to seek anyone other than You, for You have given us the words of everlasting life.  You are the Word who has come in the flesh.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken the word of truth and initiated me into Your body through the gift of the baptism You gave me.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always abide humbly in You.  Guide me to live into this life of faith You have given me.  Lead me to understand more fully each day the truth You have revealed in faith.  Thank You Jesus for the life I have in You.  Amen.

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

It does not matter who you are or what you have, these principles are true for all of us.  Even a child can do good works and share.  These things teach us that what we call our own does not belong to us.  All that we have is a gift that comes from the Father.  As He has gifted you, share those gifts with others that they may gain from what you have, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Lord, You know all that I need.  You have provided by not only giving to me, but also through those whose paths have crossed mine.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may now and always be guided by You.  You know both what I sinfully cling to and the good that I have been offered and refused; change my mind, Lord.  Help me cling to what is needed according to Your word.

Lord Jesus, You have demonstrated a temperate life.  You showed balance and did not worry about what the morrow would bring.  Help me learn from Your example to be content in all things.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the temptations of this world and to live for those things which are eternal.  Guide me, Lord, now and always by the wealth of Your grace and mercy.  Amen.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:12).

There is no sin in having wealth, but those who settle on their wealth as something of overwhelming importance are in trouble.  Too many are comfortable in this life and take that to mean that they need not be uncomfortable in their spiritual life.  We all are in need of what only Christ can accomplish for us.  It is God who provides all that is needed.  Come to Him and have true life and be content in what He gives.

Lord, the world tugs at me and what it says – and so many believe – becomes the basis of my thinking.  Help me, O Lord, to know that in You alone is all hope, truth, and fulfilment.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that what You have to offer is the true and lasting wealth.  Help me to hear Your voice above the noise of this world.  Lead me in all goodness to see through this present age and hold out for what is eternal.

Lord Jesus, You said that it is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven. Help me not cling to any wealth I have in this age, only seeing these as things for what is needed.  Help me to see that You are the true wealth.  You have given in abundance and in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may be rich in You now and forever.  Amen.

“[H]e who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16).

Who is Jesus?  Many ignore Him as a nothing.  Read this again.  The greatest of all has come to you humbly.  How do you treat Him?  Let the Holy Spirit search your soul and then answer the question.  We all need what only He can give, and this is no small matter.  Do not hesitate to humbly accept what He alone can and does offer.  Come to the Lord and live into the life that He offers you.

Lord, forgive me for the many times when I treated you as a stained-glass figure.  You are the One in whom all things have their being.  I am unable to comprehend the magnificence and glory of Your presence.   Guide me now and always so that I may learn to honor You as I should.  Grant that I would have a heart that is eternally grateful for Your goodness and mercy now and always.

Lord Jesus, You have come so humbly, yet You alone are worthy of all honor and praise.  Guide me now and always Lord so that I would live in the gift of this relationship You have given me.  Guide me to have a right attitude in order that I would hold fast to Your mercy and grace and live in heart, mind, and soul the truth of who You are.  To You be all honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.

“[T]o keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time” (1 Timothy 6:14-15a)

We are saved by grace through faith.  This frees us to live the commandments not out of regret, but willingly and gladly, for this is pleasing to the Lord.  Do not replace freedom with bondage, nor see grace as permission to sin.  Live instead in the reality of the relationship God has established with You.  You are His and, in a very real way, He is yours.  Keep His commandments.

Lord, You know how hard it is to do these things.  You too were tempted, yet You resisted.  Lead me in the way of living that pleases the Father and resists temptation.  Guide me in Your goodness to do good while learning to be good. Help me, O Lord, now and always so that I may abide with You in the goodness You have given us.  Help me learn how to do what is good, right and salutary.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You have fulfilled the law for us.  You lived the life we could never live without You.  Help me to walk in Your image and live according to the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Lead me, Lord, now and always in the way of truth.  You are the truth and You have revealed truth.  Lead me ever deeper into You.  Amen.

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession” (1 Timothy 6:13)

What is truth?  Jesus is truth!  We are in a world that wants to hear what it wants to hear.  We are in a world that attacks those who will not abide by their idea of truth.  Christ is the way, truth, and life.  In Him is all goodness.  Walk then in the truth of Christ and be not swayed by the wicked of this world to bear witness to anything other than the truth You have already heard from Christ Himself.  In Him is all life.

Lord, You have given me what I need.  I have heard the report and You are calling me to be a witness.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may now and always walk humbly in the way of everlasting life.  Help me to see through the nonsense around me and not doubt because of their incessant unbelieving questions that have already been answered by You.  You have given us the words of eternal life; help me to live guided by them.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, You are truth and You have given us the truth that sets us free.  Lead me to richly abide in You.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that You have already given me what I need to hold fast in this world that seems to change its mind from one moment to the next.  Lead me in Your goodness, Lord, and help me to always make a good confession.  You are my Lord and Savior.  I pray You help me to say in public what I say in private.  Amen.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

If you believe, you will stand your ground against those who do not believe.  To fight the good fight of faith is not to be hostile, but to stand firm and not budge when it comes to living in the truth which has been revealed to you.  In this day of wishy-washy whatever, it is important that those who believe be a witness of what they truly believe.  Take hold of the eternal life which is already yours in Christ.

Lord, these words sound so simple, but I see them being practiced more by those who believe in their political cause.  How easy it is to do nothing and sometimes how hard it is to just refuse to budge when it comes to the truth.  Help me to be one who lives this life of faith You have given me and not be one who shrugs it off most of the time.  Lead me Lord in the way You know I need to go so that I may live out my good profession of faith.

Lord Jesus, You have given me the words of eternal life.  Help me now and always to abide humbly in You knowing that You empower my life of faith.  Help me to be bold in the Christ-life and willing to fight the good fight of faith.  Teach me how to be consistent and firm in conviction and yet remain loving and approachable.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Amen.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).

Take a look at these things.  If you ever find yourself asking the question, “How then shall I live?”  Here is your answer.  Focus upon these things every day.  These are the jewels of real wealth.  When you have these, the other things of this world which tempt and distract become nothing.  Seek first the things of the Kingdom and then go into the world.  Do not mix up your priorities.

Lord, is it really this simple?  I know it is not easy, but time and again You tell me the simple steps to take to live the life You have given me in grace.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may do these things, that is, work on them that these actions may reflect who I am in You.  You know how and where I need to be led, Lord.  Lead me in these things so that I would now and always be one who lives by faith.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that I may walk in newness of life.  Lead me, Lord, in this new way of life and guide me according to Your goodness.  Grow in me the richness of these things so that I may grow each day to be a little more like You.  Lord, teach me how to pursue good things and live in contentment with what You have given me in this world.  Through all things, keep me close to You.  Amen.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10).

More than just money, anything that gets in the way of looking to and living for the salvation of Jesus is a root of evil.  Yes, we are distracted, but do not live for things when the Creator of all things has come that you may have true life.  Live into the life you are offered in faith and keep your eye on the prize.  Do not be pierced by the pains of this world, but by the truth of sins forgiven and the new life you have in Christ.

Lord, You know where I am tempted and what it would take to see me wander away from You.  Keep me from all these things.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would hold fast to You and be led by Your grace and mercy.  You have already given me the greatest treasure.  Keep me from wandering after false treasures or seeking after that which will be destroyed.  Keep me in You always.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that I may have life and have it abundantly.  Even if I wallowed in poverty, in You I would still be rich.  Let me never be conditional in my faith, but always wholly committed to You, who alone can save me from the pit of destruction.  By Your grace and in Your mercy, let me firmly walk so that I may now and always see that I am truly blessed with the true treasure of heaven.  Amen.

“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:8-9).

Enough is enough only when you realize that enough is enough.  The one who desires to be rich is never content.  Beyond the necessities, wealth is used for influence.  Influence is power (or so we sinfully think).  Those who seek power seek to place themselves alongside the Lord.  Learn to be content with having enough.  If you are blessed with more, or blessed with less, in all things give thanks to the Lord.

Lord, You know where the struggles I have are in me.  You know where I want more than I need and where I am tempted for power or influence.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would not seek just things, but You who is the Maker of all things.  Lead me, Lord, in order that I may not fall prey to the common temptations, but see them for what they are and flee from them.  Help me through all struggles so that I may become like You.

Lord Jesus, You have witnessed time and again the struggle of humanity.  A few have and most do not have.  In the name of making things equal, it ends up being simply a shift in who has and who does not have.  Rather than wasting my time on meaningless pursuits, help me to pursue the greater portion by following You and learning from You the higher things.  Thank You for the salvation You alone give.  Amen.