Scripture
Read: 1 Timothy 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation
and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and
destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith
and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Application:
Paul continues his warning about riches in this section, and brings the focus
onto the real issue. Money is never the really the issue, it is just the excuse
we use for many of our struggles and problems. Paul points out it is our
approach to money that opens the door to all kinds of evils. He connects two
thoughts that illustrate the tension that leads to wandering from the faith. He
tells us that φιλαργυρία philarguría - a lover of
money has the root that
leads to evil. This word is also tied to the word for covetousness. When we tie
this statement to the next statement that describes the mind set we can see
where the problem lies. Paul states that this individual “longs” for money..
The Greek word is ὀρέγω orégō; Literally, to stretch out especially with the
hands, to snatch. In the NT to stretch oneself, reach after something, and
hence metaphorically meaning to covet, long after, desire, try to gain[1]
The
intensity is clear, this person is driven to gain money, it controls his focus
and his heart. This is why the word “root” is used,
another way to put this is that the desire for money is the origin of all kind
of evils. We would do well to heed the warning here because we all use money
and even like money, but must guard from stepping over that line into craving
and stretching after it. The scripture is blunt here, this hunger will not lead
to just one problem in our life, but will lead to all sorts of evil. The deeper
we get pulled into this hunger the greater the chance is that we will leave the
faith. Once that happens we place ourselves in the path of both the Father’s chastening
hand and worse, the enemies schemes. We should never take lightly how we handle
money, it can always work its way into our flesh. It brings so much temporal
comfort and pleasure, not to mention empowerment, that it can lull our spirit
asleep. Before we know it we might be serving it instead of it serving us. When
that happens we have a golden idol in our life that tries to take the throne of
our God. Father, give us wisdom in how we handle money and help us to always
see it as a tool and a slave to be used for Your glory. Thank You for the money
You give us, make us worthy stewards of it.
Meditation Questions: How
much time do you spend thinking about money? What makes up those thoughts:
worry, plans, goals, craving? When you think of money what is the first thought
you have? If God made you rich what do you think you would do? What are you
doing with your money right now? Are you thanking God for where He has you
economically right now? How much of your prayer life is thanking God for Who He
is versus asking for things?
[1]
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word
study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG
Publishers.
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