From the confines of a small, dark, damp prison cell in the heart of Rome, Paul penned the words of what is likely his last letter before his death. Considering the context, Paul’s letter is a beautiful testimony to God’s provision as well as a glorious challenge to its readers.
 
Paul invested time, effort, energy, lessons, encouragement, example, teaching and suffering into his young protégé, Timothy. Paul wrote to Timothy to secure the young pastor’s confidence in God’s Word and to emphasize the blessing and the burden of the entrusted gospel.
 
The gospel is a glorious burden. We have it – not to hoard – but to share. The gospel is an unimaginable blessing – life, hope, peace, eternity and privilege. The gospel provides us confidence in our spiritual lives.
 
Following are just a few of the reasons we can have confidence in God and His gospel drawn from the text:

• Because the gospel is shared relationally (Timothy’s grandmother, mother and Paul), our confidence grows from interdependence not self-sufficiency.
• Because God gifts us and empowers us, our confidence develops from God, not ourselves.
• Because God strengthens in suffering, our confidence does not have to be shattered by our circumstances.
• Because the gospel comes by grace, our confidence does not rest in our own works or own level of righteousness.
• Because we have the Holy Spirit, our confidence comes directly from God.

Essentially, Paul reminds young Timothy of the difficult times, worries, insecurities and challenges that are sure to come. Yet those hindrances pale in comparison to the promises and hope we have in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, when you are tempted to be uncertain or fearful, don’t look inward (at your own imperfections) or outward (at the difficulty of the circumstances) but rather look upward (at the God of the gospel) who grants us confidence.

Sunday School Lesson for the Biblical Recorder originally published here Focal Passage: 2 Timothy 1:3-14

Contentment is a biblical expectation, but contentment is not the driving force in contemporary economics. The driving force in our economic system is to get people to spend money.

Commercials, advertisements and companies promise that the next car, phone, tablet or item will make your life easier, better or more fruitful.

I imagine that your experience is like mine.

The next, the new, the better is good for a little while, but it eventually slows down, breaks or loses its novelty. Then we are tempted to try the next new thing.

Paul warned the young pastor Timothy against discontentment, envy and the pursuit of more. One of the signs of personal godliness is the willingness to be content with whatever God has given us and not be driven to pursue more and more and more.

Why does Paul give these warnings and commendations? He wants Timothy and the readers of this letter to know what truly lasts.

Wealth and luxury are fleeting. At best they last a lifetime.

Only what we do with what we have and how we live our lives will last eternally. When we “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness,” we focus on character traits that invest in heavenly rewards.

But let’s not misquote Paul here. Money is not the root of all evil.

Rather, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” If we let money drive us and use us, it becomes our idol. And we don’t have to be super-wealthy for money to become an idol.

Yet, if we use the money (things) God has blessed us with for the pursuit of godliness and God’s glory, then we are making an investment that will last.

Don’t be used by your wealth or desires. Rather, use them for the glory of Christ.

Sunday School Lesson for the Biblical Recorder originally published here Focal Passage: 1 Timothy 6:6-19