1 Timothy 6:11
When Paul was writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6, I swear he had “faith movement” preachers in mind (name-it-and-claim-it). I can think of a few previous Assemblies of God preachers (remember Jim and Tammie?) who are described by this as well:
 3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But here’s the thing. We all get things wrong in our interpretation of scripture, things that are not necessarily salvific, and preachers who are clearly described by verses 4 and 5 are not the only ones at least partially described by verse 3. For example, I think Christians who teach that the earth is young and that death is sinful, are teaching false doctrine, lest Christ’s death (and the entire sacrificial law) be in vain. I think Christians who teach that the spiritual gifts are not for today do not agree with Jesus’ sound instruction that the Holy Spirit was to be His helper while He was gone. I think Catholics who believe in intercessors are in conflict with godly teaching. I believe Jewish Christians who teach that other born-again Jews must still keep kosher fit under the banner of verse 3 as well. But, I never thought any of these were “conceited”, or “understand nothing”.  I suppose that to some degree their beliefs can spur “an unhealthy interest in controversy and quarrels that results in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicisions, and constant friction between men of corrupt of mind,” but then again, my examples happen to be of people who I believe to be saved, and so their misinterpretations have not robbed them of the truth of Christ’s sacrifice and ressurection; and my partciular examples do not “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” So… who exactly is Paul talking about? For that we can go back to 1 Timothy chapter 5, which reads in part:
 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
And the rest of the chapter continues on in this vain. If Chapter 5 is any indication, these people had trouble caring for each other. Instead of freely helping those in need, they saw that need as a state of sin; and then there were needy people who used their neediness as a reason to sin. Both groups failed to understand a key message in Christ’s teaching, that the needy are to faithfully look to God, and the others are to obey God by providing for that need.
 6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People 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. 10For 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.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
It is quite fitting that Paul would lead to an exhortation of righteousness. After all, the needy widows did not believe God would provide; and the others would not obey God by supporting them. Paul was noticing the lack of righteousness in this population, and writing to Timothy about how they should be. So while not all false doctrine reflects the love of money over God, the love of money of God surely leads to the lack of righteousness.
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