--- title: "Instructions concerning the Church" description: "A practical guide on avoiding the traps of greed and choosing a life of contentment, integrity, and meaningful action." image: "" book: "1 Timothy" bookId: "1TI" testament: "new" startChapter: 6 startVerse: 3 endChapter: 6 endVerse: 21 coversChapters: [6] aiTitle: "How to Find True Wealth in a World Obsessed with Money" aiDescription: "A practical guide on avoiding the traps of greed and choosing a life of contentment, integrity, and meaningful action." hasAiStory: true location: "" persons: ["Jesus","God","Pontius Pilate","Timothy"] hashtags: ["faith","righteousness","temptation","truth","love"] genre: "epistle" readingTime: 2 type: "adaptive" slug: "1TI/instructions-concerning-the-church-2" canonicalId: "1TI.6.3-6.21" chronologicalOrder: 1718 relatedSlugs: ["1TI/timothys-commission","2TI/warning-of-difficulties-ahead","2TI/instructions-for-timothy","HEB/christs-unchanging-nature","1TI/instructions-concerning-false-teaching","MAT/the-lord-sees-what-is-done-in-secret","PRO/appeals-and-warnings","1PE/benediction-and-farewell","TIT/pauls-greeting-to-titus-appointing-elders-on-crete-correcting-false-teachers","2PE/deliverance-from-false-prophets","1CO/apostleship","1JN/the-first-test-of-fellowship","PRO/hezekiahs-collection-of-solomons-proverbs-part-2","1TI/instructions-concerning-the-church","PHP/challenge-to-live-the-example","1JN/the-second-test-of-fellowship","EPH/the-full-armor-of-god","JOB/the-dilemma-of-job","LUK/the-parable-of-the-rich-fool","2TI/pauls-greeting-to-timothy-faithfulness-under-persecution","ROM/walking-by-the-spirit","COL/rules-for-holy-living","PRO/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath","HEB/sacrifice-obedience-and-prayer","2TH/the-day-of-the-lord","PHP/warnings-against-false-examples","COL/alive-with-christ","1PE/turning-from-evil","REV/sardis","ECC/the-futility-of-wealth"] prevSlug: "1TI/instructions-concerning-different-groups" nextSlug: null --- In a world where everyone seems to be chasing the next big promotion or a fatter bank account, a timely reminder has emerged about what really makes life worth living. It turns out, being constantly caught up in debates over technicalities or trying to gain an edge at the expense of others doesn't actually lead to happiness—it usually just leads to stress, suspicion, and personal drama. The core of the issue is how we view success. Many people mistake wealth for the ultimate goal, but that path is a well-documented dead end. It is easy to get trapped by the idea that more money will fix everything, only to find yourself anxious, drained, and further away from what truly matters. We came into this life with nothing, and we are going to leave it the same way. The secret to peace? It is simple: if you have the basics—food, shelter, and a bit of clothing—you are doing better than you think. Instead of obsessing over riches, the real challenge is to chase the things that last: integrity, kindness, faith, and patience. Think of your life as a high-stakes competition where the goal is not to win money, but to hold onto your values and the promise of a future that goes beyond the temporary glitter of today. For those who are already wealthy, the advice is straightforward: don't let your money become your [god](/persons/god). Use your resources to do good, be generous, and share with others. This is how you build a life that actually has substance—by investing in people and actions that create a real, lasting impact. In short, guard your heart and your focus. Don't get distracted by the noise and the empty arguments that pull people off track. Stay steady, keep your eyes on the big picture, and remember that real value isn't found in your portfolio, but in the life you live every day. ### Reject False Doctrines If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our [Lord](/persons/god) [Jesus Christ](/persons/jesus) and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain. ### Godliness with Contentment Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. ### Fight the Good Fight But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before [Pontius Pilate](/persons/pontius%20pilate): Keep this commandment without stain or reproach until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. ### A Charge to the Rich Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. ### Guard the Faith O [Timothy](/persons/timothy), guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith.
Grace be with you all.

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