Greater Faithfulness: Final Instructions for Servant Leadership

We are exhorted to represent well the Name of the Lord regardless of circumstances. 1-2

1All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. 

The Scripture does not endorse slavery in the Scripture.  Jesus came to set captives free from every kind of bondage.  The reality of many living in slavery in the first century was not immediately reversed, so Paul is advising how believers living under slavery should have the same focus on the furtherance of the gospel as those in any circumstance. 

We are warned against godliness as a means of selfish gain. 5

3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

We are exhorted toward godliness as great gain spiritually. 6 

6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

We are exhorted to fight the good fight of faith. 

12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

We are exhorted to not hope in our money, but rather to help others with our money.

17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

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