1 Timothy 6
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Long ago there was a man. His name was Timothy. Timothy was a friend of Paul. Paul wrote him a letter. And in the letter Paul said something important.
Paul said: Timothy, listen well. Some people want more and more and more. More money. More nice things. More, more, more! But that is not good.
You know what makes people really happy? Not a big pile of money. But knowing God. That makes your heart warm inside.
Look, Paul said. When you were born, you had nothing. No coat, no shoes, no toys. Nothing at all! And when you die one day, you will not take anything with you either. Not one toy. Not one coin.
So, Paul said, if you have food, be happy. If you have clothes, be happy. That is enough.
What Does This Mean?
Paul wanted Timothy to be happy with God. Not sad, because someone else has more.
Do you know what is much more beautiful than money? Being kind. Helping. Believing in God. Loving. Being patient. Those are treasures. Real treasures! You cannot see them, but they are in your heart. And God sees them.
Paul said to Timothy: hold on tight to those things. Like you hold your teddy bear tight at night. Do not let go.
The Common Thread
Do you know Who was the richest ever? Jesus! Jesus lived with God in heaven. Everything was His.
But Jesus came to the earth. And He had nothing. No house of His own. Sometimes no bread. He slept outside, under the stars.
Jesus did not come for money. He came for you. And for me. Jesus gave everything, so we could be with God. That is the most beautiful gift there is.
So when we follow Jesus, we know: God is our biggest treasure. Not the things in the store. Not the shiny things. But God Himself.
For You
Look around you. Do you see something you love? A stuffed animal, maybe. A blanket. A tower of blocks.
That is fun! Really fun. But you know what? Someday the stuffed animal will get old. The blocks break. Things do not stay forever.
But God stays forever. God loves you today. God loves you tomorrow. And also when you are big. And when you are old, old, old with white hair. God stays.
And you can share too. Do you have two cookies? Then one is for you and one for someone else. That makes God happy. And you too. You will see!
Talk About It
What is your very favorite thing? And what would you do if a friend has nothing?
Why is God more beautiful than all the toys in the world?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are with me. Thank You for food. Thank You for my bed. Thank You for Jesus.
Help me to share. Help me to love You most.
Amen.
Questions about 1 Timothy 6
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is 1 Timothy 6 about?
What does 1 Timothy 6 say?
What does 1 Timothy 6 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from 1 Timothy 6?
Why is 1 Timothy 6 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles" describes a hunger that never gets fed. And look at the harvest: "envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions." Not one of those is truth. You can win every exchange and quietly lose the ability to think well of anyone. When did you last leave a disagreement loving the other person more?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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