Remember Your Trust

1 Timothy 6:11-21

I. Concentrate on the Right Things

A. Christians must both flee bad behavior and seek out righteous replacements. “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:11) “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

B. Good testimonies need to be cultivated constantly. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12) “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:” (1 Corinthians 9:25-26)

C. Jesus is the pattern to follow. “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (1 Timothy 6:13-14)

D. Everything will become obvious when the new order develops; the world is investing in wind and dust which will not last. “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” (1 Timothy 6:15) “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” (Jeremiah 10:10)

E. Christ alone distributes immortality; only what is done for Him can last. “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)

F. Christ is the Eternal. “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)

1. The Lord does not change. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

2. God’s heart has always been open to the humble. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15)

II. Maintain Godly Standards

A. Command the rich to trust in God rather than ephemeral worldly standards. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17)

B. Rich Christians must become charitable, as God is. “That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” (1 Timothy 6:18) “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalm 37:3)

C. The wise thing is to invest in what will survive the end-time judgment. “Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:19) “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

D. People get what they seek. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:8-9)

III. Protect What Is Right

A. People who succumb to the spirit of the age and fashionable mythology lose their sure footing in the experience of historic Christianity. “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” (1 Timothy 6:20)

B. Each age has a way of discrediting what went before; Christians should not have to personally repurchase every insight which sustains life. “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

C. The testimony of believers is undergirded and certified by the faithfulness and love of the Christians who taught historic truth. “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

D. Starting with an unscriptural foundation may look wise, but it commonly destroys believers. “Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.” (1 Timothy 6:21)

E. Trust God and He will give what the world cannot supply—grace and truth. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)