Our living God Pt 13: The love of money

1Timothy 6:5-10                    6But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  9Those 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.  10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Godliness with contentment is great gain

Paul is giving us a powerful lesson regarding the importance of godliness and contentment.  This passage contrasts true spiritual wealth with the deceptive lure of material riches, and Paul exhorts Timothy to reject the corrupt teachings of those who equate godliness with financial gain and instead embrace the truth that “godliness with contentment is great gain.”  This statement carries profound theological and practical implications for the Christian life.

Contentment is a virtue often overlooked in a world that thrives on consumerism and the pursuit of more.  Paul reminds believers that they have brought nothing into the world and will take nothing out of it.  We all know this, of course, but many of us don’t act like it.  This truth highlights the temporary nature of material possessions and calls Christians to focus on eternal values.  When godliness is accompanied by contentment, it leads to a life of peace and fulfillment that transcends circumstances.

The key to true contentment lies in trusting God’s provision.  Jesus Himself emphasized this in the Sermon on the Mount, urging His followers not to worry about their material needs but to seek first the kingdom of God.  

31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:31-34)

Paul reiterates this principle, pointing out that having food and clothing should be enough to cultivate satisfaction (1 Timothy 6:8).  The Christian life is not about accumulating wealth but about growing in faith, holiness, and trust in God.  The pursuit of godliness brings a richness that money cannot buy—a life filled with purpose, joy, and the presence of God.

Money brings temptations, traps, and foolishness

While wealth itself is not inherently sinful, Paul warns of its dangers.  Those who desire to be rich “fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction”.  This statement outlines the progressive nature of greed—what starts as a simple desire for financial prosperity can quickly become an obsession that leads to moral and spiritual downfall.

One of the key dangers of wealth is the false sense of security it provides.  Many believe that money can solve all problems and provide lasting happiness, yet Scripture consistently teaches otherwise.   Proverbs 11:28 warns, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”  Wealth can create an illusion of self-sufficiency, leading people away from reliance on God and fostering arrogance.

Additionally, money can be a gateway to other sins.  The pursuit of riches often leads to unethical behavior—dishonesty, exploitation, and corruption.  Throughout history, countless individuals have compromised their integrity and faith for financial gain.  The Bible provides numerous examples of this, such as Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16), demonstrating how greed can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Another danger of wealth is that it can lead to a misguided sense of purpose.  People who prioritize financial success above all else may neglect their spiritual lives, relationships, and moral responsibilities.  Jesus illustrated this in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), where a man who amassed great wealth died suddenly, having never prepared for his eternal destiny.  The foolishness of wealth lies in its inability to provide lasting satisfaction or security.

The love of money is the root of evil

Paul’s declaration that “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10) is one of the most frequently quoted yet often misunderstood verses in the Bible.  It is important to note that Paul does not condemn money itself but rather the excessive love and pursuit of it.  When wealth becomes an idol, it leads people away from faith and into various forms of wickedness.

The love of money fosters greed, which in turn breeds dishonesty, corruption, and exploitation.  Throughout history, greed has been the driving force behind wars, oppression, and countless injustices.  The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of covetousness, as seen in the Tenth Commandment: “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).  When money becomes the ultimate goal, people are willing to lie, cheat, and steal to obtain it, leading to a breakdown of morality and social harmony.

Another consequence of loving money is spiritual ruin.  Paul warns that some, in their eagerness to be rich, have “wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”.  The pursuit of wealth can lead believers away from God, replacing faith with materialism.  Jesus warned about this danger when He said, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).  Devotion to wealth often leads to a divided heart, where one’s priorities shift from serving God to accumulating earthly treasures.

Furthermore, the love of money often results in deep dissatisfaction.  Contrary to the belief that wealth brings happiness, the pursuit of riches can lead to anxiety, stress, and an insatiable desire for more.  Ecclesiastes 5:10 states, “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.”  This reveals the futility of materialism—no amount of wealth can fill the void that only God can satisfy.

What about me?

It is often difficult to find that proper point to balance life’s needs, including planning for the future, with one’s equal need to draw into God for spiritual nourishment.  It is foolish to ignore God and fail to secure one’s eternal peace, but it is equally foolish to totally ignore financial security.  The trick is to find the grace to accomplish both.

The best approach is to diligently work towards financial security, but also to create time in your life to worship God in your quiet place, spend time reading the Word, and find a solid community which can encourage and nourish your spiritual growth.  Temporary riches are necessary, but do not warrant prioritization.  God should be the only priority in our life.  This was a lesson which took much time in my life; I’m hoping you won’t require that much time.  Keep God as your main treasure and the other treasure will come along.  I promise.