Madness, Sadness, Gladness
—(1Timothy 6)
In First Timothy chapter 6, Paul writes about how Christians should regard the world they live in. He mentions three relationships that one can have with the world. In this lesson we call them Madness, Sadness, and Gladness.
The last one is, of course, the one we should choose. And we will come to that in due course. Right now we will begin at the beginning and look at the first...
1 MADNESS (1Timothy 6:5)
"Men of corrupt minds"
"...obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1Timothy 6:4-5 NKJV).
Paul understands that evil originates in corrupt minds which express themselves in corrupt words such as revilings, wranglings, suspicions, untruths.
There are all sorts of corruptions in people's minds. So, when they speak their minds, their words generate confusion and madness. For example...
- From antiquity people have been making idols with their own hands, then falling down before them to worship them as gods (Isaiah 44:14-15).
- In this modern age there is the belief that there are more than two genders (male and female). It is also said that a man can be a woman if that man "identifies" as a woman (Genesis 1:27).
- In Paul’s day there was the doctrine that godliness is a means of making money. So they made the gospel about treasures on earth rather than treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19). This is still taught today.
We can see much madness in this world. None of it leads to any good but only to "destruction and perdition ...with many sorrows" (1Timothy 6:9-10)...
2 SADNESS (1Timothy 6:10 )
"They pierce themselves through with many sorrows"
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1Timothy 6:9-10 NKJV).
It's a worry that the good things of this world, things that ought to be blessings, can become objects of lust and obsession. The life lived in this manner becomes a sad and sorry mess that makes no sense.
For Example: Money
Money is an example. It can be used for great good by those who are not addicted to it, who love to do good and help the needy and the worthy.
On the other hand you have the person who is greedy and who exploits others for personal gain.
Note that it's not how much money a person has that matters; it's whether that money is spent unselfishly for good works. That's what counts.
It's not money, but the love of it and the lust for it that brings piercing sorrows (1Timothy 6:10).
But you might point out that Jesus was "a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief" yet he was not given to money, earthly possessions, or worldly pleasures (Isaiah 53:3).
That's true, however the sorrows of Christ do not stem from love of money, but from the sacrificial love of souls. His sorrows are not a dead end, but have the most wonderful outcome —eternal life.
Those who follow Jesus will have sorrows, but those sorrows will turn into everlasting joy...
3 GLADNESS (1Timothy 6:17)
"God gives us richly all things to enjoy."
"17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV).
There is joy in the Christian’s heart because of the hope of eternal salvation. Meanwhile, we are allowed those earthly enjoyments and blessings which God provides richly.
However earthly enjoyments must not become the goal and pursuit of our lives. We must lay hold of eternal life and heavenly pleasures, rather than devoting ourselves to earthly pleasures and excitements. Nor should we seek to gather and store great riches in this world (1Timothy 6:17-19).
We should live sensibly between two extremes. At the bottom, "Having food and clothing we shall be content" At the top, "God gives us richly all things to enjoy." The richer a person becomes, the more that person must share and do good.
As an example, the first church worshiped in the temple. In their homes they "enjoyed breaking bread, sharing their meals with happy and simple hearts" (Acts 2:44-46).