“But thou O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

When Paul spoke to Timothy about “fleeing these things,” he was referring to the love of money, covetousness, and the sorrows that come from misplaced priorities. From these things wise believers still must flee. Luke walked from his uncle’s home with tears in his eyes but joy in his heart. His Uncle Richard slammed his fist into his hand as he screamed, “Luke! I am offering to pay your way through college, if you will just study to become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a teacher. You’ll never make much money if you become a pastor. I’ll not pay a cent of your tuition if you go off to that Bible college–whatever its name is! Don’t be a fool!” Luke tried to quietly explain to his very wealthy Uncle Richard the joy of knowing the Lord and following Him. Uncle Richard rejected it and ordered him to leave his house and not bother coming back. Today Luke would start an adventure of living the same way Timothy had lived many centuries before. How about you? From what are you fleeing and after what are you following?

For today: May we keep our priorities straight as we flee sin and follow God.