1 Timothy 6:6-12
6 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 7 for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; 8 but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 11 But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Reflection:
In your head or on a piece of paper, name the feelings and benefits you get (or think you might get) from having enough money in the bank…enough money to retire on. Now in your head or on paper make a list of feelings and benefits you get from your relationship with God. Might both sound something like peace, contentment, comfort, and security? If your list is like mine, you might find that those feelings and benefits are similar. Is it any reason that we can sometimes get the two confused?

The truth is, it is easy to find ourselves making money a god in our lives. We think that having money gives security and control. It is true that having enough savings in the bank to weather a job loss or hard times can offer us financial security, but it is the love of money and the power we think it brings us that often replaces God with a little “g” and a dollar sign. Those who have set up money as a little “g” in their life can’t get enough; happiness and security is found in just accumulating more and more. It begs the question when is enough, enough?

Verse 6 begins with Godliness in contentment. If we have food and clothing we will be content. Paul is telling Timothy that in contentment there is happiness and Godliness. If we are Godly we will find happiness with what we have, and not strive for material things. There is much ancient wisdom that talks about contentment. One rabbinic teaching is “Who is rich? One that is contented with his life.” He is urging us to not try to find happiness in things that are temporary. Money, wealth, and power are temporary — things you can have only here.

Perhaps you know the expression, “Money is the root of all evil.” Well, that is an errant translation of verse 10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”  Notice money itself is not evil. Money is a tool that can be used to benefit God’s Kingdom or ourselves. It is the LOVE of money that leads to bad things.

Paul addresses those who are rich in this age (by world standards, if you know where your next meal is coming from you are rich) when in verse 18 he writes, “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, 19 thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”

How are you doing with your love of money? Money does not care for you, love you, or seek you out. It does not heal or bring you peace and salvation. Money only gives you a sense of security and control. Money doesn’t make a very good god.

Closing Prayer:
Holy and gracious God, I thank you for all that you have blessed me within my life—for friends, family, for the gift of salvation, and for the material things that you have seen fit to make me a steward of. Father, help me to have a heart that burns only for you, help me to have a heart that uses your blessings in my life to bless others, and to grow your Kingdom. Guide me in such a way that I am not tempted by the love of money. I wish to only serve you, help me make that the truth of my life. In the name of Jesus, I ask these things. Amen.