Day 264 – "For the Love of Money…."

Today’s reading: 1 Tim 6

Today we read the chapter with one of the most famous passages in scripture.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10

We all know this passage and we know that we shouldn’t make money a false idol.  In fact, Paul says that once we have food and clothing we should be contented.  It is a lifelong struggle to reject avarice and not succumb to the temptations of wealth.  Jesus himself said that “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.”

Does this mean that anyone who is rich is lost?  Of course not.  As we read earlier, Jesus tells the rich to give away their the wealth in proportion to how attached to it.  If you have money but aren’t prepared to give it away to those that need it, then you might be falling into the sin of “love of money”.  In this chapter, Paul tells the rich how to have a correct relationship with money:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Notice, Paul directs them to do good works!  He tells them to give to charity (share).  The rich can also be saved but only if they treat their money as a tool for the glory of God.

Tomorrow: Titus