Make the Gospel Your Business
1 Timothy 4:1–16
If you’ve ever run your own business, you know it takes focus, daily attention, and constant investment. Neglect it, and it will fail. Paul tells Timothy—and us—that the gospel deserves that same kind of priority. “Train yourself to be godly,” he says (v. 7). “Devote yourself” (v. 13). “Be diligent” (v. 15). These are the words of someone who knows that faith doesn’t grow on accident—it grows because we make it our business.
In Timothy’s day, the church faced a problem that might sound uncomfortably familiar: false teaching. Paul says that some “will abandon the faith” and follow “deceiving spirits” (v. 1). The deception didn’t come from outside—it came from within the church. These teachers were twisting God’s good creation, forbidding what He had blessed. It was a direct attack on the character of God as the good Creator and on the hearts of believers who should be grateful for His gifts.
And it’s still happening. Today, there are voices—sometimes subtle, sometimes loud—telling us that God’s design is outdated, flawed, or restrictive. Marriage, sexuality, family—things God called good—are often redefined according to our own preferences. We may think we are improving on His design, but whenever humanity tries to rebrand “good” without God, we fall into the same trap as Eve, who looked at the forbidden fruit and called it good in her own eyes.
Paul’s answer? Make your life with God your business. Here’s what that looks like:
First, feed yourself on the Word. You wouldn’t expect your body to be healthy if you never ate, so why expect your soul to be strong if you neglect Scripture? Paul tells Timothy to be “nourished on the truths of the faith” (v. 6). That means not just listening to sermons on Sunday, but opening your Bible during the week, letting it shape your thinking, your desires, and your choices. It means avoiding “spiritual junk food”—teachings or habits that sound nice but don’t align with the gospel.
Second, exercise your faith. Spiritual nourishment isn’t meant to sit unused—it’s meant to be lived out. Just as training builds muscle, obedience builds godliness. This is where your faith becomes visible: in your speech, in the way you treat others, in the way you love, in the way you refuse to compromise on purity.
Third, live with confidence in Christ. Paul urges Timothy to “set an example” (v. 12). That’s not just about leadership; it’s about credibility. People notice if your life matches your beliefs. The more you live out the truth you know, the more your confidence grows—and the more others are drawn to Jesus through you.
Finally, commit to a life of ongoing discipleship. Paul uses words like “practice,” “immerse yourself,” and “persevere” (vv. 15–16). These aren’t quick fixes; they’re lifetime commitments. A good servant of Jesus keeps growing, keeps learning, and keeps serving—because the work of the gospel is never done.
For believers, this is both a challenge and an encouragement. If you want to see your faith strengthened, your witness made credible, and your church healthy, you have to take ownership of your spiritual life.
For those who don’t yet know Christ, Paul’s words are an open invitation. The “living God” Paul speaks of (v. 10) is “the Savior of all people.” He is not asking you to clean yourself up first—He is offering Himself freely. All He asks is that you come, and let Him restore your soul.
So—what’s your business today? Is it career, comfort, self-promotion? Or is it the gospel, the glory of the living God, and the joy of walking closely with Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me a faithful servant who treasures Your Word, lives out my faith, and points others to You. Guard my heart from deception, and keep my life aligned with Your truth. May the gospel be my greatest business, my highest joy, and my lasting legacy. Amen.
