Day 1079: Unhealthy cravings - 1 Timothy 6 vs 3 - 8

3-5 Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound (i.e. healthy) words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

6-8 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:3-8 English Standard Version

We live at a time when there's a growing trend towards promoting foods and activities that are good for our health. People go on special diets and join gyms to look after their bodies. There's also been more attention on mental health. And these are good things. Even the apostle Paul gave Timothy some physical advice when he said: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23) But what's true for the health of our body, is even more true for the health of our soul. What does Paul say is the big thing that will affect our souls health? (vs 3-5)

Words! He speaks of the 'sound' words of the Lord Jesus Christ (which are consistent with godly living), and an unhealthy craving for arguing over words which results in suspicions, bad mouthing and friction. The Greek word for 'sound' is 'hygiaino'. One easily sees where our word 'hygienic' comes from. The Greek word for 'unhealthy craving' was 'noseo', which meant 'to be sick'. It's similar to the Greek word for sea-sickness, and to vomit. So the words we focus on and most often use, and spend time thinking about, can lead to a healthy godly lifestyle, or they can lead to conflict, animosity and, dare I say it, mental decline!

What Paul said is very evident in the world of politics. When political opinions are shaped by the truths Jesus taught, it leads to a healthy society. But when political opinions are shaped by unhealthy cravings for controversial issues, it leads to moral decay and mental decline. And that’s just as true when it comes to being a Christian. If we don't build our lives on the sound teachings of Christ, we will be led astray by those who have a craving for quarrels! What did Paul consider to be the root, or cause, of unhealthy words? (vs 3-5)

It’s said when it comes to crooked politicians and bad policies that we should 'follow the money'. It's often greed that lies behind the corruption and terrible things that happen in the world. And the Church has not been immune to that. The Roman Catholic Church has become amazingly rich over the years. So too have many mega Churches and their pastors. When people see religion as being a profitable enterprise, they will forsake the sound words of Jesus and insist that the words they teach are truth. And they will hotly argue against those who point out their error.

What does Paul say the attitude of a true follower of Christ should be when it comes to riches and possessions? (vs 6-8)

I suspect he was reminding Timothy, and the Church, of the One who taught His disciples to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.” We have a heavenly Father who knows what we have need of, and who will provide. And because of that, Jesus went on to say “Don't lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

There are cravings in this world that are unhealthy. The lust for power or riches, for fame or sensual pleasures, are symptoms, as Paul said, of depraved minds that are deprived of the truth. He gave Timothy a better way when he said: “Follow the pattern of the sound (healthy) words that you've heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)