August 8
“Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows . . . Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy,” 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17.
The Lord Jesus said, “Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses,” Luke 12:15. These words were spoken in response to one who called out from the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me,” Luke 12:13. Jesus was warning against desiring and seeking to get what belongs to others and against falling in love with the wealth and riches of this world.
These words are as important today as they have been in the past and will be in every future generation. Throughout the world, people fall in love with money, wealth, and riches. The desire to be rich is a snare and a trap in which people get caught, and the result is emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual harm. People often become dishonest in their efforts to acquire more wealth, and often they seek to get it at the expense of others. Physically, some people work and worry themselves to death as they seek to accumulate more money, power, and possessions. Think of all of the evil in the world which is the result of people’s love for money. We think of the broken marriages and homes where people are driven by anger and hatred because of their ungodly greed. People in business and government are often driven by greed, and untold harm is the result in their relationships with others. Nations end up at war because of leaders who are driven by greed to accumulate money and power.
Beyond the physical and temporal suffering, the love of money causes people to lose their Christian faith. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Through their greediness to gain the things of this world, many lose the wealth of an eternal home in heaven. They forsake their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Their love for temporal wealth replaces their love and faith in the Savior. Eternal sorrow will be the final consequence, unless they repent and return to the faith in the Savior whose blood has cleansed us from all sins, including the sin of greediness for gain.
Therefore, the apostle places upon us the responsibility: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.” God has created the things in this world for us to enjoy, and it is not a sin to work to acquire the wealth of this world. Abraham, who is the only person mentioned in the Bible with the words, “He was called the friend of God” (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8, 2 Chronicles 20:7), was a wealthy man – but he did not lose his faith in God’s promise to send a Savior, who would be a descendant of Abraham according to the flesh.
Do not trust in the uncertain riches of this world, but continue to trust in the living God, who in His grace and mercy sent His Son into the world to save us. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again and gained for all people the glories and riches of heaven. He stands with open arms and invites us to put our trust and faith in Him for our redemption.
“The world seeks after wealth,
And all that Mammon offers,
Yet never is content,
Tho’ gold should fill its coffers.
I have a higher good,
Content with it I’ll be:
My Jesus is my Wealth –
What is the world to me?” Amen.