Rochester, MN UCC - "The Life That Really Is Life" - 1 Timothy 6:6-19

First Timothy is somewhat famous for its oft quoted line, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”  The author of 1 Timothy is clear that monetary gain is not what the Christian life is about.  If you’re expecting to get rich by following Jesus Christ, you’re likely to be disappointed.  But if we shouldn’t expect to gain wealth from living as a Christian, what exactly should we expect?  What is in it for us?  What gain could, or should, we expect to get out of following Jesus?

The author states the gain to be found in following Jesus quite beautifully towards the end of our passage, “that we may take hold of the life that really is life.”  The life that really is life, is the eternal life to be found in Jesus Christ.  We find this life, we lay hold of it, by living as Jesus lived, by pursuing “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.”  When we are able to truly value these things, to pursue them above and beyond our more narrow and selfish ambitions for wealth, or status, that is when we find a life of contentment.  The way of Jesus Christ is the life that really is life.  Following in the way of Christ we can know contentment and peace even in the midst of life’s many struggles.  Following in the way of Christ we can live a broad, expansive, and generous life.  Following in the way of Christ we can have a life filled with love. 

 Where we choose to place our hope can have a profound effect on how we live our lives.  When we place our hope in ourselves and our own wealth, then generosity and sharing and serving others can seem like threats to our own well-being.  When we place our hope in God, we find the freedom to live in love- “to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.”  Living a life like this, a life full of love, is its own reward.  May we all place our hope in God and find that life that really is life in following Jesus.

 Pastor Andrew Greenhaw