This document discusses the dangers of greed and the pursuit of wealth and material goods. It warns that false teachers will lead people astray by teaching what people want to hear in order to take advantage of them. However, people could avoid being deceived if they were not greedy for worldly pleasures and riches. True godliness is found through contentment, not the pursuit of wealth, as greed leads to temptation and ruin. Believers are called to pursue righteousness, faith, love and other virtues instead.

1. Celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. April 4, 2010 March 3, 2010

2. 2 Peter 2 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the Way of Truth shall be evil spoken of.

3. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Covetousness = avarice = to crave more This speaks both of the greed of the false teachers , and also the greed of the congregation .

4. 2 Timothy 4 (NIV) 2-4 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires , they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear . They will turn their ears away from the Truth and turn aside to myths.

5. So, the false teachers are filled with greed, teaching what people want to hear In order to make merchandise of them. But, the people could not be deceived, If they were not also greedy for this world, its pleasures, its riches, and its comforts. People who love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, with our mind and strength, Will not be deceived. We will seek Truth and find it!

6. We find what we look for: Loopholes Truth Fault Good Peace

7. 1 Timothy 6 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Supposing that gain is godliness Twofold meaning : Thinking that godliness is a means to financial gain. Believing that if I am doing well financiall y, it proves that I am living a godly life.

8. 1 Timothy 6 6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Gain is not godliness, but Godliness with contentment is great gain . That is the " life more abundantly " that Jesus came to bring us.

9. Contentment brings peace and joy. The more one has, the more he wants. But it never produces more joy or more peace. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

10. (NIV) 1 Timothy 6 9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money , have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Temptations to cut corners, cheat, lie, steal Temptation to neglect the work of God Temptation to neglect family to make money

11. 1 Timothy 6 (NIV) 11-12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. We must not allow the desire for money, stuff, the pleasures of this world, or anything To separate us from fellowship with our Lord, or from doing His Will.

12. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness -- with the same single-minded fervor with which the greedy pursues riches. These are the virtues which God will produce in His children who submit ourselves to Him. Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.