—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Summary: What is honest gain? From that we can learn what dishonest gain is. Knowing what to look for, we can avoid entanglements with those who are working against God.
What is “honest gain?” Can you tell me?
During his visit to Egypt, Abram gets rich. Aside from the part of the story where Abram has Sarai pose as an unmarried woman, Genesis tells us that while Sarai was residing in Pharaoh’s palace Abram acquired “sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.” (Genesis 12: 15) How? Was this “honest gain?”
Some years later, Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, was working for his uncle, Laban. Jacob wants to return home, but Laban asks him to stay because God’s blessing on Jacob has overflowed to cover Laban as well. Jacob agrees to continue working for Laban. His wages are to be the lambs that have colored wool and are not pure white. Instead of honoring this agreement, Laban hides all the colored lambs and goats and then changes their agreement “ten times.” (Genesis 31:41) Was Laban’s increase from this honest?
Despite this treatment by Laban, Jacob prospers. Why? Because he is blessed by God. Honest gain comes from God and is acquired on godly principles.
Dishonest gain is the opposite of honest gain. It does not come from God. It is not acquired by employing godly principles. Quite the opposite. God’s enemy, the “father of lies” (John 8:44) is also the father of dishonest gain.
Paul does not explain what the “gain” might have been, but we can imagine. In Paul’s day, those spreading the gospel depended on the hospitality of the people they were preaching to. (Matthew 10:11) False preachers could gain a place to stay from this practice. It was also a practice among believers to offer gifts to the poor. (Romans 15:26) This could be a means for personal gain. The biggest gain a preacher of a false gospel could make is a gain in followers. (Matthew 23:15)
This topic is a timely reminder that we should always be mindful of what we acquire and how we acquire it. It is also a reminder that we are in a battle between Good and Evil. Some people have given themselves over to the acquisition of money and power. We need to be every bit aware of them as Paul was exhorting Titus to do.
Application: Pay close attention so that what you have comes by honest gain and reflects well on our Lord.
Food for Thought: What does the willingness to acquire “dishonest gain” tell us about a person’s character?
A willingness to acquire dishonest gain means the person is willing to put themselves before others. It means they are not trustworthy because their own self interests are promoted over the truth. Their god is mammon. It is the opposite attitude of Jesus who emptied Himself for the benefit of others. He became nothing so that we could have everything. Dishonest gain does the opposite. Philippians 2: 3 – 11; Luke 16: 10 – 11.
Rich,
Thank you! The opposite of Jesus is a good description.
What does the willingness to acquire “dishonest gain” tell us about a person’s character?
These are self-centered people, WHOSE LOVE FOR MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVILS. They have no regard for the rights of others, living in rebellion against God, capable and willing to violate every expression of moral value given to man by God. They give themselves the right to take the life of another, disregard marriage vows for their desires of the flesh, steal the property of others, take their reputation through lies, are ruled by their desires to have what others have.
1 You shall not murder.
2 You shall not commit adultery.
3 You shall not steal.
4 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
5 You shall not covet.
They are vain people consumed with greed, never satisfied, and an abomination to God. They will not go unpunished.
1 Timothy 6:10, Proverbs 13:11; 1:19; 11:1
Ron,
Thank you! I like the way you contrast this question against the Ten Commandments.