7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

"If I can't take it with me, I'm not going!"

But have you noticed you never see a U-haul behind a hearse?

Years ago, there was a King Tut exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, featuring artifacts from the excavation of his tomb. You may know that he was buried with an extraordinary quantity of items: rooms filled with treasure, statues, gold jewelry, Tutankhamun's mummy, chariots, model boats, chairs, and paintings. In all, there were over 5,000 objects in the tomb. It took Howard Carter and his team ten years to catalog everything.

Pharaoh Tutankhamun thought he could take it with him. He couldn't.

When we are buried, we aren't going anywhere. To be clearer, what remains of our bodies won't be going anywhere.

Everything in this life is temporary. So many things are there for our needs (food, drink, clothing) or our wants (food, drink, clothing, etc.). But they are all temporary. Even a healthy body is being replaced, cell by cell, and I've heard it takes about 7 years for you to become a whole new person. Yes, I am a whole new man several times over throughout my lifetime.

When I die, my body will stop renewing and restoring itself. What began as dust will end up as dust. This life will come to an end - but a new one will begin. And ultimately, the only thing we can count on taking with us is our love for God. I don't have any doubt about my parents and many others being in heaven - and I look forward to seeing them, and being with them but exactly what it looks like is something of a mystery. For example, Jesus said that in heaven, we will be like the angels, in that there will be no marrying. What does that mean for the love of my life, Elsie? I really don't know - but I'm going to trust the Lord with it. I live in my body, but I am not my body. I am so much more, and so are you.

Think about that: The only thing we can count on taking with us from this life into the next is our love for God. That, and what we have sent on ahead by laying up treasures in heaven.

So, we work hard, provide for ourselves and our families, invest our time to earn the money to buy what we require and enjoy some pretty good bonuses, like back yards, mountain views, beach vacations, summer cabins… But knowing that this is not all there is.

In Luke 12, Jesus confronted a man who wanted him to be the judge between him and his brother, when Jesus said, "life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" (12:15). He then went on to tell the parable of the rich fool.

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

And Paul said, "If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” In other words, if there is only this life, grab all the gusto you can! YOLO! You only live once! Make the most of it!

And that is the attitude of much of our world. I'm going to die soon, and I can't take it with me, so I might as well make the most of it while I can, because when I die - poof! I'm gone. Period. End of story.

Unless that's not the end of the story. What comes next? By all means, enjoy all the blessings this world offers, but remember that the next life, in eternity with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, is so much richer! And it will be determined by your relationship with Him.

C.T. Studd said, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain… 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

There is a serious issue that I've seen too many times over the years when it comes to the idea of contentment, and that is that Christians ought to be satisfied with the status quo. I completely reject that idea.

In the beginning, we read "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground" (Gen. 1:28). I read "subdue it" and to take responsibility for it, tame it, control it, be good stewards over it, and grow it.

When Jesus tells the parable of the talents in Matt. 25, he commends the two servants who have invested the resources that were entrusted to them, saw the investment grow, and showed a return of 100% on their money. "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in the little things; I'm going to put you in charge of bigger things."

Opportunities come as a result of problems. Every time you take a medication for an illness or issue, it's because others had the same illness or issue, and along came a pharmacist who invested time, effort and money to solve that problem.

Every time you get a new item - let's use a cell phone as an example - it's because someone saw a problem, and set out to solve it in some way.

When I wrote about 1 Timothy 5:21, I told the story of a problem I faced about 25 years ago: cataracts. On the morning of my first surgery, I determined to treat this as a learning experience. When they froze my right eye - the most painful part of the procedure - everything went a dark grey, so that I could not see what the surgeon was doing. My left eye was covered, so all I have was touch and hearing to know what was going on. Three weeks later, it was time to replace the cornea in my left eye. This time, when they froze it, the world didn't go dark grey. In fact, I was able to watch as the surgeon (you may want to look away now) used the scalpel to make an incision just above my pupil, reach in with tweezers to remove the damaged cornea, use other implements to poke around a little to make sure everything else was healthy, pull the incision open a little so he could slide an implant into place, and then allow the incision to close. I remember asking, "Do you have to crazy-glue the incision to keep it closed?" "No, it seals itself." I then responded, "Wow! That takes an amazing designer!" To which the surgeon replied, "Huh."

My cataracts resulted in an opportunity to learn more than just about cataracts! Some day, I'll write about my hip replacement. And then my new reverse shoulder replacement! You're watching the bionic man here!

So, when you see a problem, are you to be content? Or are you to seek a solution? Again, opportunities come as a result of problems. And opportunities bring about growth.

When God puts a challenge right in front of your nose, how do you view it? The possible answers are probably too many to list, but here are a few:

1. I guess God wants me to suffer in this problem.

2. I guess God wants to teach me something through this problem.

3. I guess God wants me to find a solution for this problem.

4. I guess God wants me to find a solution for this problem that will benefit others.

So the question comes down to this: When confronted with a problem, which presents itself also as an opportunity, what would the Lord want you to do with it? My answer is also going to be very heavily weighted toward growth, for myself and others.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain… 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. What about godliness without contentment? For that matter, what is contentment?

These are the running shoes worn by basketball star Steph Curry. They are manufactured by Under Armour, bear his initials, and sell for about $200 US. And he has written a portion of Phil. 4:13 in Sharpie: "I can do all things."

Once again, context is king. Since Paul is addressing contentment here in 1 Timothy, and he teaches more about it in Philippians, let's look at Paul's words to the church in Philippi:

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:10-13)

Apparently, the church in Philippi was concerned about Paul, and wanted to share a little love with him. It's funny, because first he says, "AT LAST you renewed your concern for me!" It sounds like there's a little of Paul's humour coming through there, like "I've been waiting for you to tell me you love me! Ha! Ha! Just kidding - I know you were concerned. You just hadn't been able to show it! But thanks anyway."

Bu the fact is, Paul knew that the Lord was the one who was looking after him. He always had, and he always would. Nothing has changed, whether he was being beaten and left for dead, put on trial even though he was a Roman citizen, thrown into prison, being shipwrecked - God was with him. After all, to live is Christ, and to die is gain! He knew what it was to have huge needs, and to have plenty. Sometimes, he was able to minister full-time because others were footing the bills, and sometimes he had to seek employment as a tent-maker. Whatever his circumstances, Paul was good with it!

So Paul says, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Paul's contentment was a direct result of his trust in God.

A number of years ago, we faced a challenge in our lives that was quite devastating. I was a chaplain at a medium security prison, expecting to stay there for several more years and eventually retire. The pay was good, the benefits all that we required, and I loved what I was doing. Suddenly, it was gone.

It was a Friday morning when I got the news, and my mind went into a tailspin. I had no idea where to go from here. I didn't know what to do, who to do it with, or what could come next. We were crushed.

That night, as we went to bed, I remember lying there with my mind going a million miles and hour, with every conceivable thought coming into it, and the possibilities swirling out there somewhere. Tossing and turning for several hours, I don't think I had actually had any sleep, when out of the darkness I heard, "Phil, I've got this."

Okay. After a few seconds, my mind began to race again, and I charged once more down the path of what if's, and again, I head this voice, "Phil, I've got this."

Huh? And this time, I listened for more, and I heard, "Phil, you can quit worrying. I've got this."

In the midst of my confusion, the Lord was reminding me, "I've got this."

Well, God's got this. Whatever it is. Relax. Be content.

5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

The first election I remember was an Ontario provincial election in 1960. The reason I remember it is that we had a polling station in our house - the only time we ever did. And the winner of the election was Walter Pittman, who lived about a block from our place, and who won under the "New Party" banner, which became the New Democratic Part not long after that.

It felt a lot like they were trying to buy our votes. That's not possible, is it?

One advantage of living in Canada is that our elections are short. The most recent one was only 5 or 6 weeks, from when the date was announced, until it was all order. In the US, I'm pretty sure the 2024 Presidential election (still a year away) began somewhere around 2016. Anyway, it seems that whenever an election is about to be called, we start hearing about money being given to this part of the electorate, or that program, or something.

And on the other end, how do life-long politicians, who have a pretty good but not exorbitant salary, become so wealthy? How do they end up owning so many houses? And with such good stock portfolios?

It seems some people will do anything for a buck!

Some will even listen to preachers who will say, "God wants you to be rich!" Who will quote verses like "My God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory!" (Ph.4:19).

And, "You do not have because you do not ask God" (James 4:2)

During Jesus time, there was a general belief that God loved rich people more than he loved poor people - you knew that because they were rich! So if you wanted more riches, all you had to do was love God more, and then he would love you more, and pour out riches into your lap. Everything you touched would turn to gold!

Of course, that is far from the truth. Jesus honoured the widow with a couple of pennies who threw them into the offering much more than he did the sanctimonious Pharisees.

You won't get rich by becoming a Christian, or by donating to the church, or a parachurch ministry, or anything else. "Godliness" is not the magic key to prosperity.

But living according to the principles and truths of Scripture will - over time.

What we've seen is what Carl George refers to as "Redemption and lift." What sociologists have learned is that when someone becomes a Christ-follower, they become more diligent in the actions and attitudes which bring a smile to God's face. Sometimes, that means more stable marriages, family lives, jobs, addictions under control, and a greater investment in the life qualities which lead to advancement in every area of life. Your salvation may lead to your children going to better schools, getting better jobs, marrying people from better families, and overall the redemption of one can lead to the lifting of the family for generations to come.

Gaining generational wealth isn't a reason to become godly. But it is an additional benefit that comes with godly living.

Remember these words of Jesus:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matt. 6:1-4)

Are you seeking financial and other gains this side of heaven? Then that's all you get.

Instead, "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:20-21)

That's an investment worth making!

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Teach these things. If anyone does not agree with your Godly teaching, they are

1. Conceited

2. Understand nothing

3. Have an unhealthy interest in

a. controversies and

b. Quarrels about words.

i. That result in

1) Envy

2) Strife

3) Malicious talk

4) Evil suspicions

5) Constant friction between people of

a) Corrupt mind

b) Who have been robbed of the truth

c) Who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

I can't imagine standing before a group or people, or writing a public letter for that matter, which says, "If you don't agree with what I'm saying, you are conceited - you think you're better than everybody else - and you actually understand nothing.

Sounds conceited, arrogant, and audacious, doesn't it?

But that's not actually what Paul is saying. He says, "If you don't agree with this Godly teaching that comes from Jesus himself…" You think you’re so wise, but actually, you don't understand a thing! Ah, that's different. And to ramp that up a little, if you believe these words come from Paul alone, you would be right to say, "Who does he think he is?" But if these words are inspired by God himself, as they flow through his servant Paul, that's a different matter. See what a difference perspective makes?

There is more than enough friction in our world - always has been, and always will be. Our responsibility as believers is to not get caught up in it.

What do you think of this? A conversation between Captain James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock.

So, what do you do when someone is teaching other than the truth?

As in most things, it depends.

There are doctrines that have been discerned from Scripture that I would put into the category of "Essentials." This would include truths such as God is Triune - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one and only son of God. Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and was raised from death on the third day. He appeared to over 500 people before ascending to heaven, with the promise that someday, he would return, and that we would spend eternity with him. The primary way in which we learn the truth about God is through Scripture.

There are also truths what could be described as non-essentials, or perhaps debatable or disputable. God created the world and everything in it. Is the process described in Genesis 1-2 a literal account of what happened? Seven days and all? 24 hour days? Or is it a narrative to teach us that God created, and not how? In a seven-day creation, did he speed up time, so millions or billions of years of geological and fossil discoveries all came into being in a week? Do we need to be as dogmatic about creation as we are about who Jesus is?

You don't have to spend much time online to realize that many people are so completely dogmatic about some teaching that there's just no point in talking with them. To be honest, I feel this way when say things like, "You're not really a Christian if you let your kids go out on Halloween," or if you have a tattoo, or heaven forbid, if you read anything other than the KJV.

So Paul says, "These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching..." So listen and understand what Jesus has taught, and what His apostles have taught.

Remember that the Bible is the final authority when it comes to Christian faith and practice.

Read it. Explain it. Apply it.

And thank the Lord for it.

How should we, in our western culture, be thinking about a passage on the relationship between slaves and their masters?

One way is to take it at face value for Timothy and others who would have read these words in the first century. In fact, that's always the best way to understand and interpret Scripture: What did it mean to those to whom it was written?

So Paul tells Timothy to tell those who are slaves and who are in the church, as followers of Christ, to "consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered." It doesn't say "your masters are worthy of full respect." It says consider them as if they are. Act in such a way that it shows your respect for them. Be respectful. Much like the attitude that all believers are expected to show toward anyone in authority - church leaders, government leaders, kings, presidents, spouses, and masters.

Not long ago, Elsie and I were watching an American news commentary show, and the host referred to Canada's Prime Minister as a "buffoon." Another called Joe Biden "President Sippy-cup." Whether you agree with their opinions or not, there is no respect. Again, Paul says to show respect - consider them worthy of not only some respect, but FULL respect. No holding back. Toward slave-owners.

As an aside, in recent days, I've been hearing about the friendship between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, which may have been more responsible for Lincoln's drive to end slavery in the US than any other single factor. One comment said that the greatest tragedy in American history was when John Wilkes Booth killed the President. Otherwise, the respect and determination which these two friends would have brought to the post-Civil War US would have been dramatic in the advancement of respect between the black and white races.

Slaves, treat your owners as if they deserve your full respect. And if your owner is a fellow believer, show them even more respect! As fellow believers love one another, treat your master as someone you love. Their obligation as Christians who are slave-owners is to be "devoted to the welfare of their slaves."

This is a strange concept to us - Christians owning slaves? How is that okay?

When we look into the teaching of the Old Testament, we see that there are very specific ways in which someone could become a slave, but to put it simply, it was always temporary. If a man got into debt, one way out of it was to become an indentured servant for a period of time until the debt was paid off. If you study Exodus 21, Deuteronomy 15, and Leviticus 25, you will get some of the detail of how the system worked. But of course, we know that the system doesn't always work. I don't believe it ever says, "The way the economy of my chosen people is to work involves enslaved people." Rather, it says that within this part of the economy, treat slaves properly. Nowhere do we see the practice of slave-trading as being encouraged or promoted. Today, International Justice Ministry (IJM) under the leadership of Gary Haugan is actively involved around the world in rescuing young women from the sex-slave industry, and in getting both laws and minds changed. The movie "Sound of Freedom" that was released this summer told the story of Tim Ballard, and his efforts to save 55 children and 68 adults from sex slavery. It's makes us sick when we learn of smuggling young girls and children for the purpose of selling them as sex slaves. Just one more sign that our world is inherently sinful, almost beyond our imaginations.

Sooner or later, we have to look at a passage of Scripture like this and ask the question, "What does that have to do with me? I'm not a slave, and I don't own slaves."

So let's keep coming back to the essence of what Paul is saying:

Are or were your people being oppressed? Respect the oppressor.

Are or were your people oppressing others? Respect the oppressed.

That really sounds like "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Some day, every thought, every action, every private moment, every word, every did, every misdeed will be made public.

What a scary thought. And thankfully, not true.

In my imagination, I see a day in eternity when all that we have ever done will be played on the largest video wall you could possibly imagine so that the entire body of Christ, the church, assembled in heaven, will watch and praise the God of the universe for you and me. I don't think that's a very good idea. To be honest, the moments from my life when I am behaving in a God-honouring manner aren't nearly as frequent as I wish they were. For the vast majority of us, a long life could probably be watched in a matter of minutes. But that's okay - we won't be in heaven because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done. He's the one that deserves and gets the glory.

Look at what Paul is saying here:

Some sins are obvious in the moment; others become apparent later.

Some good deeds are obvious in the moment; others become apparent later.

On one hand, you can run, but you can't hide - at least, not for long - whether what you're doing is on the positive or negative side of the ledger. "You may be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).

Of course, more things are obvious to those who know us best, and no one knows us better than the Lord.

Like many (if not all) of us who consider ourselves believers, there have been times when I've thought, "I sure hope the Lord isn't watching right now!" I know he's always watching, and aware of what we're up to. And even worse (or better), He knows the motives behind what we are doing. He knows why we're doing what we're doing, and it's seldom something we'd like up on the big screen.

God knows everything there is to know about you and me. And he loves us anyway. Let that sink in.

God knows everything there is to know about you and me. And here's a really key thing to add: Even when our behaviour and attitude and words and thoughts aren't very loving, if we love him, he knows about it. Even when our love for him isn't obvious, he knows if we love him, and he loves us! "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).

That is amazing. Why would he do that? I guess the real question is, "Why wouldn't he have given up on us a very long time ago?"

And I guess the answer is because love is at the very core of his nature. And so is justice. So he couldn't just wink at our indiscretions, and say, "No big deal! No problem!" Our sin requires justice, and Jesus provided it at the cross, and demonstrated his power over sin through the empty tomb.

Thank you, Jesus!

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Now, this seems to come out of nowhere! Unless you put it in the context of someone in leadership, who has stomach troubles, ulcers, or other worry-induced ailments. In Timothy's case, Paul refers to his "frequent illnesses." Apparently, Paul was around him enough to know that for Timothy, this was not just an occasional thing.

And maybe there was pressure for abstinence from alcohol - like a Nazarite vow - that was keeping Timothy from caring for himself as well as he should.

One at a time.

I remember a teenager when I was growing up who had ulcers that were really impacting his life. And I remember my mother asking him what he was eating that would be causes of these flare-ups. And I'll never forget his answer: "Auntie Dot, it's not what I'm eating. It's what's eating me."

The stuff that goes on can eat us alive, if we let it. My dad always had a very sensitive stomach, which was often affected by the stuff that was going on a work, in the family, and at church. He took everything very seriously, and I know there were many evenings when supper involved only home-made cream of potato soup, because it was soothing.

I know what it's like to have the stuff that's going on around me cause stomach problems. I got out of many school tests because I had a stomach ache! Of course, I always had to retake them on another day, but you probably know what I'm talking about. Until the last few years, when I've lost about 40 pounds, I really didn't know what it was like to go to bed without some kind of heartburn or gastric reflux issue. Tums, Rolaids, and Gaviscon were just part of how I got through the night!

Now I realize that Christians don't have "problems" - we just have "concerns" - but so far, I haven't actually been able to figure out the difference. "Why worry, when you can pray?" they say. "Are you weak and heavy burdened? Take it to the Lord in prayer!" they say. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil. 4:6) they say.

Oh, if only. If only. We know that we can take any care to the Lord, and he's in control, and we could and should just leave it there in His hands, but so often, we don't. We think we've got this. And the Lord seems to say, "Okay. I'll be right here when you realize that you need me."

And some times, like with Paul and Timothy here, what Timothy really needs is a little medication in the form of some wine to settle his stomach. God does work in mysterious ways some times, doesn't he?

I also have to wonder about the abstinence issue here.

I grew up in the teetotalling world of The Salvation Army. Historically, there were some very good reasons for the stance of this international church, going back to its earliest days in the east of London where the power of drink was so destructive to so many lives. Social drinking was unheard of within the ranks, except where there were problems, and usually they indicated that there were deeper problems. I get it.

But there would also be no problems with taking some cough syrup that had alcohol in it - for medicinal purposes. It makes me think of Granny on The Beverley Hillbillies TV show and her "Medicine," which was really hooch.

The Biblical expectations around alcohol are really pretty simple: Don't get drunk. Drinking alcohol is expected, and even celebrated, such as Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding feast, so the bridegroom's family wouldn't be embarrassed. There are examples of abstinence, such as the Nazarite vow demonstrating separation or consecration, but that seems to be both temporary (for a time) and specific (abstain from all wine and anything else made from the grape vine, while other types of alcohol were permitted).

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Context is king. A text without a context is a pretext.

So when Paul says "Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure," he has to be writing about leaders, and the possibility that you, Timothy, could share in their sin if you do not hold them accountable.

"But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning" (1 Tim. 5:20).

There are sins of commission, and sins of omission. There are sins that we commit by the things that we do, and there are sins that we commit by the things that we do not do.

Some things are pretty obvious, I think: If you find that a church leader has his hand in the cookie jar, is taking funds out of church money for his personal gain, and he offers you a cut of his take, no one needs to tell you that this would be wrong. Of course it is.

But what if he claims that what he's taking isn't for him after all, it's to benefit the church in some way. Perhaps he's using it to support politicians who would in turn be willing to throw their weight behind some project that the church wants to accomplish - a kind of "I scratch your back if you'll scratch mine" scheme. Well, why not be above board? Well, that's just not the way it's done in political circles. You don't publish it, but it's for the kingdom!

I guess my response is that if you can't be public about it, then you shouldn't be doing it.

Keep yourself pure. That's a strange word in our world today. You may remember Ivory soap being advertised as 99-44/100ths % pure. That slogan was in use since 1895.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).

When Paul writes to the church in Corinth, he says he wants to present the church to Christ as a "pure virgin," as someone with "pure devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2,3).

And when he writes to the church in Philippi, he sums up his message with, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Phil. 4:8).

So just from those verses, purity has to do with heart, experience, devotion, and thought life.

And here we are, in this filthy, sin-laden world, moving about, and getting tainted and stained every moment of every day. How do you stay pure in such a world?

Over the last few years, hand sanitizer has become an essential in all of our lives. Before that, for most of us, it was quite optional. And then, Covid-19 hit, the world shut down, and we were talking about whether or not to trust bringing pizza boxes into our homes. You never knew when or where you could be picking up this deadly virus, so wash your hands, cover your sneezes and coughs with your elbow, wear a mask, keep your distance, and if there's any chance you could be carrying it, stay home!

Guess what? Sin is a deadly virus. More deadly than any Covid-19 virus. And we are swimming in this cesspool of decadence and destruction. Much of the world isn't aware of it - but we, as Christ-followers, have no excuse. All of the things we have been taught to do to prevent the spread of the Corona virus would also be a good place to start in maintaining our spiritual health. We cannot avoid the sin that is around us, but we can keep a safe distance, wash off its effects as soon as possible, and not allow the world to infect us.

"Keep yourself pure" does not mean go and live the life of a hermit. It does mean don't let the impurities of life corrupt you permanently. Deal with them before infection sets in.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Whenever the Council of Elders meets at our church, we invite people from the congregation and the community to meet with us for prayer. Typically, we will introduce ourselves, ask a few questions as to why this person has come for prayer, ask permission to anoint their forehead with oil (a symbolic gesture), and more or less surround the person as closely as is reasonable and comfortable, and then with outstretched arms and hands, touching the person appropriately, we pray. It's a gesture that is not unlike putting your hand on someone's shoulder as a sign of support and encouragement. This is all in response to the teaching in James 5:14, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord."

But I don't think that's what Paul has in mind in this verse.

In the book of Acts, it appears that there is a connection between the laying on of hands and receiving or being filled with the Holy Spirit. That's what happened in 9:17, when Ananias approached Saul, placed his hands on him, and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And he did.

When Paul approached the followers of John the Baptist in Ephesus (Acts 19), he told them about Jesus. They were baptized in the name of Jesus, and "When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (19:6).

Following the shipwreck of Acts 27, when they are safely on the island of Malta, Paul and his travelling companions met with an official whose father was sick, with fever and dysentery. The text tells us that "Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him" ( 27:8).

There is a connection between the laying on of hands, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, the receiving of gifts of the Holy Spirit, the practice of some of those gifts, and healing. But there is no reason for Paul to be telling Timothy "not to be hasty in the laying on of hands."

Until we remember that the laying on of hands is how Timothy was identified as a leader/pastor for the church. And remember that this section of the letter is all about the elders, pastors and leaders of the local church, and how they can fall away from the faith.

We need to go back to the qualifications that Paul writes about in chapter 3 - above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, etc. Timothy, choose leaders well. Experience has shown that choosing the right members of the leadership team will largely determine how far and how fast the team goes. Or, the church.

The laying on of hands, then, in this context is all about discerning pastors, elders, and leaders of the local church. It's about identifying them as the leaders, and it's about the commitment from the followers to follow their leadership. A while back, in our own church, I had the privilege of representing the congregation as we prayed for our campus pastor and his wife. We stood in front of the congregation, I placed my hand on his shoulder, and as I prayed, those gathered stretched out their arms in solidarity with recognizing him as our pastor. It was a great honour.

There is nothing magical that happens with the laying on of hands - but there might be. As with so many ceremonial activities, it's an outward sign of an inward reality. But don't assume that inward reality - discern it in those who are being given the mantle of leadership. Be careful who you choose to lead, or there could be dreadful consequences. And once someone has been identified as a leader, love them, encourage them, and if necessary, hold them accountable for the sake of the Kingdom.