"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands NOTHING. He has and unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who THINK THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS TO FINANCIAL GAIN. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But YOU, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith."
-1 Timothy 6:3-12
Sometimes when I read the Bible and see a certain verse I think of someone else who "needs to read it". The funny thing is that as I think of someone else's sin, I, in my self-righteous state am "casting the first stone". Jesus said that he who is WITHOUT sin should be the first to cast the stone. When I am reading the Bible, it should be done in a way that I am waiting for God to convict me of MY sin...not someone else's. I should come with a humble heart. How prideful of me to think that I am greater than someone else. How can God work on a hardened heart? Lord, please soften my heart.
I have often thought of the times when I did "the work of the Lord" for selfish gain. Pursuing godliness for my worldly gain. Thankfully the word of the Lord will not return void.
"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
