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There are over 2,300 Bible verses on money (wealth and possessions) and almost 15% of what Jesus spoke on is related to money and possessions. Clearly, God cares about money and what we do with it. I hope that this devotional encourages you to use your money and possessions to honor God and further His Kingdom and avoid the destruction that a love for money can lead to.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6: 6-10; 17-19

“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…. Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

Observations:

- Context: The church in Ephesus was teaching that coming to faith in Jesus will bring you a life of material gain

- Paul is warning Timothy of what a false teacher looks like – unsound teaching and one who loves money (greed).

- Paul shares the dangers of the love of money – how it can lead to a life of ruin and destruction

- In the last part of the chapter, Paul is giving his “final charge” to Timothy. He tells him to “fight the good fight of faith.” He specifically shares wisdom to Timothy on how to instruct those who are wealthy to manage their wealth.

Godliness with contentment is great gain

- Money does not lead to contentment. There are a couple verses that talk about money in direct relation to contentment (Hebrews 13:5, Ecclesiastes 5:10) highlighting that it is easy to think that it does. When money and material gain is our master – it is bottomless, we will never have enough and never be content. True contentment is found in God and living a life with Him as your foundation.

Fall into temptation… that plunge people into ruin and destruction

- The love of money leads us down a path of destruction – it becomes our master, not God (Matthew 6:24). It leads to putting our hope into something temporary and as Paul later writes that “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Not to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain

- Paul is highlighting that wealth is temporary and uncertain, it can easily come and go. He follows this in direct contrast, instructing to “put their hope in God” who is eternal.

To do good, rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share… they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age

- Paul shares how to take something temporary and give it an eternal purpose. I believe this is for everyone, not just those who are materially wealthy. We are called to do good and be generous people. This is also referring to Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus is teaching to not lay your treasures on Earth because they can be destroyed but to rather store your treasures in heaven where it can’t be destroyed. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.

Applications:

- Heart Check: Who/what is the master of my life?

- Do I see money and financial gain as means to end (a resource to be used and shared for God’s Kingdom), or an end in itself.

- Am I content with my life? (Philippians 4:11-13) Why or why not?

Prayer:

Lord, may I always build my foundation on you, not on things that are temporary. Thank you for what I do have, whether a lot or a little, for all good things are a gift from you. Help me to be aware of false teachings or thoughts that will lead me away from You. Help me to be wise with my money and to use it to further your Kingdom. Help me to never find my confidence in what I have or what I don’t have but rather in You, a firm foundation, where true contentment and confidence is found. May I always be generous and a good steward of what you have given me, always looking for ways to bless and love others. May I fight the good fight until I am united with You eternally. Amen.