But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:6-10
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, most of us are familiar with verse 10 in chapter 6: “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
It’s quoted often. In sermons, in conversations, in articles. Even in pop culture and non-Christian writing.
We hear it and nod along in agreement. Usually we’re grateful that we don’t love money, so this verse doesn’t apply to us—or so we think. After all, loving money is for the greedy, the dishonest. That’s not us. We just want enough to get by (plus maybe a little extra to be comfortable… and maybe being able to afford a few nice things would also be pretty cool). But you know: just enough to not have to worry—or work much longer.
Regardless of our view of money, almost no one ever admits to loving it.
But most of us miss entirely the verse before verse 10. Verse 9 is one most of us have never heard before—much less weighed its impact on our life.
Paul writes this to young Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
Paul doesn’t say those who love money fall into temptation. He doesn’t say those who seek it through dishonest gain fall into temptation. And his warning seems to be for all people, regardless of our current financial circumstance—so it’s not just for the rich.
The Holy Spirit tells us in 1 Timothy 6:9 that “those who want to get rich” fall into temptation and a trap.
And if we are honest, most of us have that desire. Ask most people in the world today, even those sitting in a church pew on Sunday morning, if they want to get rich and most will say, “Yes, of course I’d like to be rich.”
We want more income, more in our savings account, more in our retirement account, more dollars in the bank. We want the bigger house, the newer car.
We may not call it loving money, but we certainly want it. And Paul has a strong warning for us today. When you get a chance, read it again.
See if the truth contained in it begins to change how you view the pursuit and accumulation of financial gain. And what God might want to say as we choose to focus on Him today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, search my heart and reveal truth to it today. Truth about your Word and truth about my heart. And above all, help me keep You as my first desire, always and forever. Amen.