Remaining Faithful
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Begin with anecdote about money? Perhaps definition of wealth
Background on Ephesus
Background on Ephesus
Paul is writing to Timothy, the young pastor that he left with the care of the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was one of the largest centers of trade in Asia, strategically located on an inlet river opening to the Aegean sea. It’s harbor was connected to a major highway leading and therefore was a major thoroughfare connecting Rome to the east.
Ephesus was a center for shipbuilding and trade, a city of great wealth.
It was a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, city of great diversity with many competing world-views. The temple of Artemis Gr (Diana Ro) was located in Ephesus and considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
It was in Ephesus that Paul had preached against “idols made with hands” which prompted a riot by the silversmiths and tradesmen. The gospel message put their livelihood and wealth at risk.
The church at Ephesus, in stark contrast, was very faithful, obedient and generous church, yet plagued with false teachers and diverse temptations from the surrounding culture. It is this church that Paul charged Timothy with shepherding.
So it is in this first pastoral epistle to Timothy, that Paul gives young Timothy direction and advice on Christian duty.
Much of this background should sound familiar. We, like those in ancient Ephesus, live in a very competitive culture with many ambitions that are antagonistic to our walk in faith.
Doxology, vs 15. Ends with an Amen, but on a minor chord. “To him be honor and eternal dominion,” and indeed, Christ will receive that honor, but there is a temptation, not bound by geography, culture or time, that can prevent us from giving Him that honor, our faithfulness with finances.
To him be honor and eternal dominion
We have a tendency to think of “rich” as a comparative spectrum. 1) Jeff Bezos, 2) Bill Gates 3) Warren Buffet (forbes 2019)
I submit to you that while rich can indeed mean wealthy, usually accompanied by the adjective “filthy,” Paul is not talking about standards of wealth that have great disparity between the haves and the have nots. The spectrum of wealth in ancient ephesus was much narrower.
Pew research on
In the early first century, the wealthy elite were mostly aristocrats. The rich in Paul’s time would have been equivalent
Pew research on income disparity.
Define Rich: Having more than what you need.
Ancedotes.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), .
When we invest in something, we have a vested interest. Stock Market examples. Sports Teams.
“I wish I had more of a heart for missions.” Well, if you want more of a heart for missions, give more money to missions. You will have a vested interest.
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