Today I'm Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram. Have you ever been to a job interview where the person asks you, what are your weaknesses?
Now some may avoid giving a direct answer or flip the question to brag a little bit by saying, well, yes, I do have a weakness. I work too hard and I care too much. But what I want you to note is that your weaknesses are important. You need to know what they are because what we're going to learn today is that they can work for your advantage. The Apostle Paul's final coaching tip for Timothy cuts against everything our culture tells us about self-improvement.
We live in a world obsessed with projecting strength. But Paul says the path forward runs straight through honest self-awareness and embracing our weaknesses. I'm Dave Druy. And today on Living and On the Edge, Chip Ingram continues a series called You Can Make Disciples, Personal Coaching from the Apostle Paul. with a pivotal lesson about how to turn our weaknesses into advantages.
If you have your Bible, please open it now to 1 Timothy chapter 6.
Now here's Chip with a message titled, Step Away. Last coaching tip, life coaching from the Apostle Paul. Forget. You ready? Tip number six, know your opponent.
Well and your own weaknesses Better. Know your opponent well, the world system. The enemy? And your own weaknesses better.
Now I I can't end this time without telling one more basketball story. Yeah. I mean, when I went away to play in college, I was 135 pounds and six foot tall. And I was always undersized. And so I always observed and I learned, I learned from coaches and I'd watch games on TV and who were my heroes and what did they do and why and how does John Stockton come off of a pick and how does he do a pocket pass and I would study, study, study, study because everyone was bigger, everyone was stronger and everyone could jump higher.
Other than that, I was in good shape. And so I remember starting to learn this in high school, and we were playing, I can still, I mean, not many high school games I can remember, but this kid lit us up. And I mean he would just, he just lit us up bang, bang, bang, bang. And then I'd come out of the game and I was sitting there and I was figuring out what do we got to do? And what I found out, I started to watch him and I watched every time he did a heel-toe, heel-toe, one-two every time before he shot.
I watched it, I watched it, I watched it. I mean, the kid, you know, this is in the old days. It wasn't a three-pointer. This guy's got like 18 points, and we're like not even into the second half at all. And so, you know, okay, Chip, get back in there.
I did, like the coach says, I'm just watching his belly button. And the moment I saw heo, heo, heel, man, I just got up into his grill like that. And it was amazing what happened. And many years later, we were playing When I went to seminary And um We played against another guy who was, man, he was, in this tournament, he's going to light everybody up. And I just found that, you know what?
He knew his opponent well. But I want to encourage you to know your weaknesses better. If you know your own weaknesses well, You structure your life. in ways where your weaknesses don't hurt you. But instead you can use your weaknesses to your own advantage.
Where the Apostle Paul is going to take his son Timothy is, there is a couple things that will take you down, dude. And I want to warn you. You need to know your enemy well. But if you read this text very carefully, he's going to say, Timothy, you need to know your own weaknesses better. And then you have to structure and protect your life so that those weaknesses don't come into play.
Does that make sense?
Okay, then let's roll. We're in chapter 6. The Apostle Paul. doing some live coaching. And he's uh He says, all those under the yoke of slavery are to regard their own masters as worthy of honor.
See if you can start getting a theme.
So that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not disrespect them. because they're brothers or sisters, but must serve them all the more. Because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
And then he's going to make a hard turn. Notice what he says. If anyone advocates a different doctrine, And doesn't agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to, circle this word, godliness. That's the goal of everything. I want you to live out your life so that you reflect Christ.
He is conceited. and understands nothing. But he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words from which come envy and strife and abusive language and evil suspicions and constant friction between people of depraved minds. who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. And so basically what he goes through and says Some of the evidences of false teaching, it produces arguments and envy and friction.
Has anyone seen any of that in the church in the last couple of years or so? Did you notice the root cause? Men of depraved Mines. It's thinking. And over time, pretty soon.
People's theology and their values, and then you do understand that you are now wired in a world where the enemy. Whatever you believe, we now have. They have algorithms that will keep feeding you the same stuff so that you'll get cemented in your views, even the ones that aren't true and that are baseless and have no fact, and polarize you against other people. Because if you want to raise money, or if you want to get likes, or if you want to get following, what you have to do is have a big evil opponent that everything they do is wrong. And the more you scream, scream, scream, they're terrible, they're terrible.
And we need you to. It raises money and it gets ratings. The only person who knows the truth is God. But our responsibility is we got to be really discerning. He says, this is how false teaching.
occurs. But all you know is the evidence of false teaching in relationships, he says envy, strife, abusive language. You see any of that online lately? And then he says that one of the other evidences of false teaching is not just the production of controversy. and questions and disputes.
But it actually develops into people who think That godliness becoming more and more like Christ and following Jesus is a means of financial gain. Have you seen any of that lately? Yeah. I always loved the one where the guy says, Send me all your bills. Just send me all your bills, and we'll put them in the center and we'll burn them, and God will take them away.
Can you understand why Christianity is hard for a lot of people to swallow right now? But there has been a huge movement here and around the world that started all the way back that says. That if you want to get rich Here's the spiritual keys.
Now be careful. Because if you're more on the conservative side, it's easy to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Because the scripture is really clear that When you're generous for the right reason, generous with your time, generous with your money, generous with your resources, generous with your friendship, God does bless. And he often blesses financially. But the moment that becomes your motive, Man, you are on the wrong track going in a very bad direction.
And so he gives a little correction here. He says, but godliness actually is a means of great gain. when accomplished by contentment. That's being at peace with what you have. Doesn't mean that you're lazy, doesn't mean that there's not direction, ambition.
goals or strategy, But godliness Walking closely with Jesus, and being at peace. Content. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out of it either. If we have food and covering with these, We shall be Content. Can you imagine what would happen if we actually believed the last line?
I get a roof. I have clothes. I have food. With that, now. Is it wrong to want a nicer roof?
A little bit nicer clothes? And a little bit more food if it's... No, I don't think so. But can you say thank you? You're listening to Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram.
Chip will be right back. But first, if you've been wanting to dig deeper into these Bible teachings, our YouTube channel is a great place to start. You'll find video teaching series on important matters like trusting Jesus no matter what, and content that goes beyond what you hear on the radio. Just search Living on the Edge on YouTube. And when you find us, hit subscribe so you never miss a new upload.
We'd love to have you join our growing community.
Now back to our message. I've been spending a lot of time with pastors through all of this and one young man called me and said, could we talk? And he had come to Christ through a Bible study I led about 10 years ago and Pretty. Difficult background and went away to school, became a pastor, and got married, and just, you know, things on the right track. And basically, The conversation went like this.
It's really hard to be a pastor. And I don't think if I remain a pastor, I'll ever be able to own my own home.
So I'm thinking about maybe starting A little charter business for fishing because I really like to fish. And then I could still tell people about Jesus.
So what do you think?
So well Um I would remind you at least that of the 8 billion people in the world, you are in the one-tenth of one percent. of knowledge of the Bible. because of your training for four years. That's a stewardship. that no one else has.
So if God's calling you out of being a pastor into fishing because you're more passionate. I would just say make sure it's a real clear call. And I know him really well. And so working on my gentleness, because my insides were not gentle at all. Man's sides were like, who said it was going to be easy?
I got some promises for you. Anyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. And then I just said When you sense God's calling, and by the way, it's real tough to be a pastor, so I really listen compassionately. right now with all the junk going on. But I said, do you think that owning a home is like Do you think God promises or you deserve to necessarily own a home?
Well I mean, everyone else is, I said, I know. That is your Do you understand are you getting it? It's subtle. It's so subtle. Jesus, yes, I want to follow you no matter what, but unconsciously I have this condition and this condition.
Where I went to school, I really love it. It was a really great school. And I remember talking to the admissions guy. I mean it was, I don't want to exaggerate, so I'll aim really low, but it's like a third of all the people that graduate from where I went to school live within like, you know, 50 or 100 miles because they didn't want to move out of the area. Really?
You spend four or five years going to school learning the Bible, and then someone asks you, Oh, I don't want to go there because it's cold. Because it's hard. Because people aren't as open. Because my mother-in-law doesn't want me to go there because she doesn't want her daughter to live more than two hours away. And if you wonder why so many Christians are missing The fullness of God and experiencing the power of God.
Verse 9, but those who want to get rich and put a box around want to. your Bible. There's nothing wrong with being rich. Those who want to get rich fall into temptations and a trap, underlying trap. and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction.
I mean just under a trap. harmful desires. Plunge. Ruin. destruction.
I did a study on this earlier, and I mean, one of these words is the word for a fishing lure. And the other word is a word for a trap for an animal. And it's Both of them are built around what? Deception. That fish thinks that's a real minnow.
Uh animal thinks that food is free. And notice, he says, those who want to get rich. In other words, that's. It starts then with harmful desires. I've got to have this.
I'm not content. And then he gives the reason for the love of money. And then circle is a root. It's not the root, is a root. of all kinds or sorts of evil.
and some by underlying longing for it, Have are you ready? wandered away from The faith. And pierced themselves. with many griefs. And then he says Timothy, here's The recommendation.
contrast, but flee these things, you man of God. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and for which you were made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I direct you.
Last time it was I command you.
Now I direct you in the presence of God who gives life to all things and of Jesus Christ who testifies the good confession before Pontius Pilate that you keep the commandment without fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Which he will bring about at the proper time. Speaking of judgment, haven't we kind of heard a charge like this before? This is actually the fifth personal charge. He's concerned that his son and the faith is going to wander, drift, be pierced within, be destroyed, find himself in ruin, bankrupt.
And then he goes, He who is blessed and the only sovereign, the king of kings and lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to him. Be honor and eternal dominion forever. And then almost like an afterthought, because he said, Okay, Timothy, you understand, right? Remember my coaching tip, Timothy. You you need to understand your opponent.
I was a pastor 10 years when I thought There was God against Satan. And that's not what the Bible teaches. According to Jesus, There's two gods, me and Mammon. Materialism. Wealth, money.
And Satan uses that. To say money will make you secure, money will make you famous, money will give you happiness, money will make you significant. You got the logo here, you can talk about, you know, I had a pretty good time at the Final Four, and you know, my friend on his G5, we had a pretty good time together. And have I told you lately, Who I did a selfie with? And we all just downsize that to, I know the superintendent of schools, or I know the football coach, or I know, right?
Or I dated the prom queen, or the, but money. Money promises it, right? You know, if I... If I watched enough commercials, if I could just have a red sports car. and really white teeth.
I mean glowing white teeth. And a core's light. Beautiful blondes would jump in that car with me. And what he's saying to Timothy is Boy, there's a trap. Because the other God, money, is always screaming.
Money changes how you view and think about life. The future in yourself. and especially other people. And money can give you this sense that There are other people and then there's you. We all want to be really, really pretty.
We all were little to be rich. And we all really want to be famous.
So why are the prettiest people and the richest people and the most famous people by and large They can't have a happy, sustained relationship. They find themselves putting white powder up their nose. and living for a group of people and fans that Tomorrow it'll just be someone else and they don't care. But he doesn't throw wealthy people under the bus. What he does is address the desires behind unhealthy wealth that pierces and ruins your life.
So he ends it in such a positive way. He says, instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches. but on God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. I mean, if there weren't wealthy people in the world, we would not be sitting in this room. who underwrite tremendous amounts of things for ministries, who employ hundreds of thousands and millions of people because of their business acumen and their hard work and the companies and the things that have come with that is wealth.
They just have a level of challenge and temptation and responsibility that most of us don't have. And just like God holds me accountable for my teaching, God holds you accountable for your life, and your God holds them accountable for the judgment seat, looks like this. It's just you and Jesus. What did you do with the time I gave you? What did you do with the money I gave you?
What did you do with the opportunity that I gave you? Life is a stewardship. And when we stand before God, it won't be, I mean, thank heavens, you don't get like compared to other people. And he doesn't grade on the curve. He's the revealer of hearts.
He knows the spiritual gifts and the passions and the abilities and the intelligence. He wired you in a certain way and the judgment seat of Christ for believers. will not be for our sin. Jesus took that judgment for us. It'll be for, what did you do with what I gave you?
And so he says to rich people, just instruct them, don't be proud. In other words, don't trust in your riches, but on God. And don't trust in your riches because... They're unreliable. But he says instead instruct them to do good.
To be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share. Storing up, I love this. for themselves. Treasure of a good foundation for the future. Purpose clause, so that they may take hold.
Of that which is truly life. I love the translation: the life that's really life. Timothy, protect what's been entrusted to you. Avoid worldly chatter. The opposing arguments of what's falsely called knowledge, which some have professed, and thereby have gone astray from The faith.
He started there. He ends there. And I think the truth, I mean, that just screams, Coaching Nugget is keep the commandment without stain or reproach. until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about. At the proper time he is coming back.
He who is blessed The king of kings, the lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light. Live your life in a way that pleases him. And a way that pleases him, in one word, if you trace it through this whole book, is be godly. Right? You're listening to Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram and a message titled Step Away, part of our series called You Can Make Disciples.
If you'd like to revisit any part of today's lesson or share it with someone, every message in this series is on the Living on the Edge podcast. Find it wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe. And for the complete unedited sermon, check out the Chip Ingram Sermon Podcast. One of the things Chip pressed on today is the difference between what we believe about God and what our actual choices reveal. That gap between knowing the truth and living it is exactly what his book, Yes, You Really Can Change, is written to help close.
It's a practical, honest look at why the Christian life so often feels stuck, where the real power for change comes from, and what it looks like when transformation actually takes hold. And right now, we're including a second copy with every order so you can pick up one for yourself and give the other to someone you're walking alongside. Find it at livingonthege.org/slash offers. You know, this program exists because people like you believe it's worth keeping on the air. If you'd like to support the work, a gift of any amount makes a real difference.
Donate online at livingonthege.org or give us a call at 888-333-6003. You can also send a check by writing to LivingOnTheEdge, PO Box 3007, Atlanta, Georgia, 30024.
Well, Chip touched on something in today's message that a lot of people are genuinely confused about, the difference between biblical generosity and the prosperity gospel.
Well, Chip, can you help our listeners tell the difference?
Well, Dave, I'd love to. And for some of us that didn't grow up in the church, and probably for a lot of people now even, they've dropped out of a local church experience because of the false teaching having to do with money. When we turn on the TV, let me say there are some excellent Bible teachers that do much good. And let me also say there's a plethora of teachers. who are using the platform of Jesus Christ To make themselves rich and wealthy, and are teaching a false gospel that God wants everyone to be rich.
And the bizarre thought is that the way you get rich is to send your money to them, and then somehow God's going to multiply it back to you. Even in the early seasons of the gospel, people perverted and twisted the teaching of generosity and the teaching of sowing and reaping to fill their pockets. As a result, so many Christians don't understand anything about money and generosity. The truth is, God honors generous giving. The Bible is very, very clear.
But the goal of any kind of teaching from Scripture is never to give to get. Our generosity comes from a heart that cares for others and we give without any thought of return. I hope you'll take this coaching from the Apostle Paul in a really serious way. I'm Dave Druy. Join us next time for part two of our lesson called Step Away right here on Living on the Edge.
Wow. Oh. Today's program is produced and sponsored by Living on the Edge. Uh
