2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Calendar
COVETEOUSNESS, FEIGNED WORDS AND MERCHANDISE!
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
2 Peter 2:3
1 Timothy 6:3-5
“… supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself.”
COVETEOUSNESS, FEIGNED WORDS AND MERCHANDISE!
In 2 Peter 2:3, as Peter continued his discussion of the false teachers who will infiltrate the churches with their damnable heresies, he mentioned their three characteristics. Peter’s description of false teachers is widely seen in modern Christendom.
They are covetous people. They move about doing their things “through covetousness.” False teachers are very interested in making money for themselves. In truth, personal gain is their goal. They turn churches and ministries into a moneymaking business. They offer their services on the basis of monetary gain. They are like the false leaders whom Micah the prophet has described: “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us” (Mic 3:11).
The Apostle also told us how they will succeed in making money. The false teachers do their activities “with feigned words.” The Greek word that Peter used here is “plastos,” from which we get our English word “plastic.” Plastic words! Carefully fabricated and moulded words to help them obtain monetary gain. This will be a far cry from the Apostle Paul who wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:5: “For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness.”
In their pursuit for money they will not care much for the safety of the souls. They will be more than willing to “make merchandise of you” (2 Pet 2:3). Those who use Christian ministry as a means to make money will exploit the people. They are not ministers, but merchants.
Certainly every labourer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7; 1 Tim 5:17-18). But a good minister of the Gospel should never use the ministry for selfgain. What a heinous crime it is for a pastor to exploit his flock! Truly, “their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Pet 2:3).
THOUGHT: Is material prosperity a true sign of piety?
PRAYER: O Lord, make me rich in truth and holiness!