instructions from a father to his son

Paul always thought of Timothy as his son – there was just this connection between them.

As far as we know, Paul never got married, so he didn't have any children.

There is a brief mention about Timothy's mother & maybe his grandmother, but nothing about his dad, so we don't know the details of whether Timothy had one around much.

What we DO know is that Paul & Timothy had this father / son thing going.

Paul wrote 2 letters to Timothy which are included in the new Testament.

In this first letter, Paul is wrapping things up in chapter 6.

Paul doesn't mince words with Timothy – the dad shoots it straight with the son.

Here's what Paul said in those closing verses of chapter 6 – words that are as appropriate today as they were 2K yrs ago.

1 Timothy 6

6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world,

and we can't take anything with us when we leave it.

8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

  9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil.

And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God;

so run from all these evil things.

Pursue righteousness and a godly life,

along with faith,

love,

perseverance,

and gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight for the true faith.

Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you,

which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

13 And I charge you before God,

who gives life to all,

and before Christ Jesus,

who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate,

14 that you obey this command without wavering.

Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

16 He alone can never die,

and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him.

No human eye has ever seen him,

nor ever will.

All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

  17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money,

which is so unreliable.

Their trust should be in God,

who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

18 Tell them to use their money to do good.

They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need,

always being ready to share with others.

19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

  20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you.

Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.

21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.

  May God's grace be with you all.