The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 6:3-10, “If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness,

4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment.

7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.

8 And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.”

In verses three through five (3-5), Paul warns Timothy of the unacceptable attitudes of those engaged in controversy. In verses six through eight (6-8),

he speaks of what we have and for which we should be thankful. In verses nine through 10, he again warns Timothy (and us) of the snares (traps) that are set for us.

Those who advocate a different doctrine from Paul’s teachings, are simply conceited –wrapped in smoke. They have morbid (sick) interests in questions that are controversial – that produce friction (irritation) in the minds of those who are also depraved and believe that their “godliness” is a means of spiritual gain.

“Godliness is a means of great gain,” Paul says, “when it is accompanied by contentment” –contentment with what we have. “We brought nothing into the world, and we won’t take anything of it.” Food and clothing are our con-tentment. Why are we always wanting more, more, more?

People who want to get rich, so they can have more, fall into temptations

(theft, dishonesty, et al), and find themselves trapped into things that ruin and destroy them. “The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…” Note that it’s not money that is evil, but the excessive love of it. The worst evil being one’s abandonment of the faith, which results in many distresses.

Stay in the Word and Prayer! Keep your eyes on Jesus and His teachings! Has He ever failed to provide you all that you need? –not want, but need? David says, “I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendnts begging bread” (Psa. 37:25).

I’m praying for you and trust you’re praying for me.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”