Paul has been explaining to Timothy in his letter that there are people who desire to cause division, that like to quarrel and cause strife and constant friction between people. They value the things of this world such as money and power over the things of heaven.
But Paul warns Timothy that he should pursue a different life. He says:
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
As a man of God, Paul calls Timothy to pursue something much greater: righteousness – to live rightly before both God and man. To live in faith and love, both for God and man. To endure through hardships and to be gentle with others.
This is the core of the decision that we have before us as well. What is it that I value? What is it that I consider worth spending my time on? Do I invest in the things of this world, or do I invest in the things of heaven? How will I live today, tomorrow, and each individual day after that? Will I pursue gain for myself or will I pursue gain for Christ with my life?