READING FOR JULY 23, 2025: PROVERBS 7, 1 TIMOTHY 6, PSALM 71:14-24                  PROVERBS 7 This chapter starts with Solomon pleading with his son to “keep my words” and “treasure my commandments.”  The immediate topic relates to sexual immorality again, but could we consider these words more broadly?  Since these words are universally considered Holy Spirit-inspired by all believers, should we also consider how we might keep all of God’s word and treasure all the commands of the Bible as we live our lives each day?  What are we doing to first know, treasure, and then obey God’s commands in all that we do? Do we consider every thought, word, and action from His perspective at all times? If not, we are falling short of the text’s intent for our lives just as much as Solomon’s son might when encountering sexual temptation.

Starting with verse 6, Solomon tells a story that does not sound much different than any story that Hollywood might produce today. We have an inexperienced young man intentionally walking at night toward the house of married woman whose husband is out of town. Nothing good can possibly come out of this scenario. Thus, the first lesson we can all learn is never to place ourselves in a position that could lead to devastating sin. We should not consider ourselves strong enough to avoid the worst result. 

The woman comes to meet him, dressed provocatively, and not bound by any concern for moral purity.  She seizes and kisses him and then persuades him to begin an affair at her home, even while stating she holds to certain religious practices. Any initial honorable impulse of his is no match for her seductive skills, and he follows her to her home. Verse 23 gives the consequences of his actions: “He does not know that it will cost him his life.” Is that too extreme? Not from the perspective of the all-knowing God. 

Physical and spiritual death due to sin often is a process that starts with something as seemingly innocent as choosing to walk down the wrong street: “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).  

 1 TIMOTHY 6 This passage does not advocate for or against slavery. It counsels Christians who are already serving as a slave, particularly those whose masters are Christians, to serve in such as a way that God’s name/reputation and the Gospel are honored. Then it adds not to serve halfheartedly just because their master is a brother in Christ, which is the much more important tie between them. This applies today in all employer-employee relationships. 

READING FOR JULY 23, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 TIMOTHY 6, PSALM 71:14-24   

This echos and clarifies the famous passage in Galatians which highlights our common bond as believers over our still existing differences in earthly categories and/or roles: “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal.3:27-28).

Starting with verse six, Paul starts to wrap up the letter much the way he began it: warning Timothy not to allow different doctrines to gain a foothold in the church. Questions: Have we allowed a different doctrine than the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed by the Bible to gain a foothold in our lives, family, or church? Why does Paul constantly warn us about it? 

Paul then writes one of the most quoted verses in the Bible: “The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil” (vs. 10). This was particularly important for Timothy in Ephesus to understand given the economic impact of the local god: “Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was, was bringing considerable business to the craftsmen;  he gathered these men together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business” (Acts 19:24-25).    Paul concludes the letter by showing how our current choices affect our future status:

PSALM 71:14-24 Although in verse 12 the Psalmist asks God to hurry, here he says he will wait for Him continually, and praise Him more and more while waiting. This isn’t contradictory. Why would anyone tell God to take His time rescuing from danger, but what else can be done except waiting for and praising God? Depending on the translation, verses 15-16 can be confusing. In checking out the Hebrew, it reads God’s righteousness and deeds are beyond numbering and will keep him busying mentioning them all day. Time well spent. Again, the Psalmist remembers God’s faithfulness to him when he was young and asks expectantly for the same in his old age. His desire to share this message with the current and future generations is exactly what should be ours as older folks. Let’s make the same commitment. Let’s sing and play instrumental music praising the God who has redeemed us. Let’s expect God to put to shame those evil forces who are seeking to harm us and our church.