Stroll through Scripture for July 19, 2026

Based on 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Last week the Narrative Lectionary took us to the beginning of 1 Timothy.  This week we are at the end of 1 Timothy.  Last week we had the foundation of the author’s theme – grace and mercy are the foundation.  This week we hear the author build on that foundation to the conclusion of the letter.  The core of this part of the letter is simply that because God has acted, we can respond.  And not just respond randomly, but to actively pursue what the author calls righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  

What’s most interesting about this list is that it seems like the polar opposite of what so much of society and life are about.  In some ways this letter is addressing the conflict between the world and the way of faith that exists and has existed through culture, time, and place for all of human civilization.  It raises so many questions – why does humanity and society seem bent on cruelty, violence, selfishness, and more?  There are no good answers for this.  

And the author doesn’t provide an answer either. It’s more of a recognition that we are called to be different from what society has to offer and that it won’t be easy or pleasant.  In fact, it will be difficult and we will face numerous obstacles to living the faith.  

Ultimately the letter sounds like a pastor attempting offer words of wisdom and encouragement to the faithful in the congregation they serve.  In many ways, this section of the letter could easily be written today.  We are a society that is struggling with the same things that the author was writing about – wealth and riches.  Money isn’t the problem. Money is a tool and is neutral.  It is neither good nor bad.  The author makes this clear what the problem is – “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…”. Indeed.  

The pursuit of money and wealth does create a whole lot of problems and causes a lot of pain and suffering both for us personally as well as on a society level.  And none of this is new.  The currency might change over time, but the appeal and allure of money and wealth is the same old sin.