DECEMBER 2, 2014
Losing
Our Way
Read: 1
Timothy 6:6-10
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have
strayed from the faith in their greediness. —1
Timothy 6:10
An online survey
conducted by a New York law firm reveals that 52 percent of Wall Street
traders, brokers, investment bankers, and other financial service professionals
have either engaged in illegal activity or believe they may need to do so in
order to be successful. The survey concludes that these financial leaders “have
lost their moral compass” and “accept corporate wrongdoing as a necessary
evil.”
In mentoring young
Timothy, the apostle Paul warned that the love of money and the desire to get
rich had caused some to lose their way. They had yielded to temptations and
embraced many “foolish and harmful” desires (1 Tim. 6:9). Paul saw “the love of
money” (not money itself) as a source of “all kinds of evil” (v.10), especially
the evil of trusting in money rather than depending on Christ.
As we learn to see
that Christ is the source of all we have, we will find contentment in Him
rather than in material possessions. When we seek godliness rather than riches,
we will gain a desire to be faithful with what we have been given.
Let’s deliberately
cultivate an attitude of contentment in God, and faithfully submit to Him, for
our Provider will care for us.
Father, it’s easy to see the problem that
others have
with loving money. But I know I have my own
struggles too. I need Your help to learn
thankfulness
for all that You have given. Grow in me an
attitude of contentment in You.
To
love money is to lose sight of the Source of life.
Insight
In 1 Timothy, Paul
gives practical instruction about money. He tells Timothy that the problem is
not money itself, but the love of it. Love of money is improper because God is
the giver of all our possessions, so they don’t really belong to us. Godliness
with contentment is true wealth (v.6).
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
