Read 1 Timothy 6.
What motivates teachers of false doctrine?
According to verse 4, it is pride: “they are conceited.”
And, wouldn’t you have to be?
To set forth your own ideas as if they were scripture, someone needs an over-inflated self-confidence.
Another motivation is greed; verse 5 says that false teachers “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Godliness comes from different motivations. Instead of bringing us wealth, however, it teaches us contentment. Verses 6-8 say, “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.” This world has many nice things to offer but the person who accumulates them all will leave them all behind when he dies.
When Steve Jobs died in 2011, he was worth over $10 billion but a beggar who died with nothing on the same day took the same amount of wealth into eternity. If you walk with God, however, and learn to trust him, having the basics will be all that you need. Again 1 Timothy 6:8 says, “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
This is what false teachers miss. They think that novel ideas about God will be a path to wealth that will give them satisfaction. Instead, they may find prosperity but miss the real gain of walking with God–a life of true satisfaction.
Are you content with what you have? Or do you think that more of something (or everything) will bring you more satisfaction? Money doesn’t by happiness but godliness brings contentment. Focus on your walk with God and let him satisfy you as no material thing can.
