Money, Money, Money

“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.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:6-12 NIV)

I had breakfast with a friend this week and part of our conversation revolved around the corruption of governments around the world. It started with my observation of the greed evident in my wife’s home country of South Africa, where we recently visited, where government officials regularly pocket taxpayer money for their own benefit. It moved on to professional sports where athletes typically make more money in one year than most of us make in a lifetime. Of course, the conversation could have gone on for hours discussing our own legislators becoming millionaires after they gain office, company executives making tens of millions each year while those working for them face potential layoffs because their companies are struggling financially, and pastors of mega churches living in mansions.

One does not have to look far to see the wisdom of Paul’s counsel to Timothy regarding money. The world is awash in it and for most, it is a temptation to idolize it, pursue it, worry about it, and covet it. Whether we are rich or poor, or middle class, the focus on money/wealth is inherent to most of us and has always been. We typically worry about not having enough or focus on how we can acquire more. It’s just the way the world is.

This is why Paul’s language is so strong—“flee,” “pursue,” “fight,” and “take hold.” The desire for money is powerful and can have a catastrophic effect on our spiritual lives. We should never underestimate it. Why is it so dangerous, you may ask? The answer, upon which Paul is basing his counsel, can be found in the words of Jesus: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 NIV)

Like the fictional mad scientist who thinks he can control some source of great power but ends up being controlled by it, so it is with money. Like I saw recently in a social media post, it is easy to think the more money we make, the more good we can do with it. But that pursuit is fraught with danger and we would all be wise to heed the words of Paul and our Lord. 

Today, consider your thinking about money. Do you think about it a lot? Do you want much more of it? Do you think the more you have, the more content and happy you will be? If any of these are true for you, be aware of the potential danger you are in, and take the same action Paul commands Timothy to take: Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” You can’t start soon enough.

© Jim Musser 2018