Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 5, 2024 - The Desire to Be Rich”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Desire to Be Rich
Reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-10
The thread of contentment runs through these verses. Paul wants Christian slaves to continue to honor their masters (1 Tim 6:1) and “serve all the better”(1 Tim 6:2) if they learn their masters are fellow believers. Their state might not be ideal, but they can faithfully serve Jesus where they are. He then profiles the type of person Timothy might encounter as an opponent: “he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain”(1 Tim 6:4-5). Some oppose the gospel because they are “puffed up with conceit,” proudly declaring that they know more than Jesus can teach them. Some oppose the gospel because they have a “craving for controversy and quarrels about words”; they just love to fight. Some twist the gospel because they believe “godliness is a means of gain.” None are content to live quiet, faithful lives in submission to Jesus.
But the restlessness that seeks wealth is Paul’s gravest concern here. “Godliness with contentment is great gain”(1 Tim 6:6). If we can live rightly—and be content with that—then we have found something immensely valuable. “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction…it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs”(1 Tim 6:9, 10). The desire to be rich is not restricted to rich people; many poor people suffer from it. Though we often think that there is no harm in wanting a little more, Paul warns that this desire is remarkably destructive and painful. It is a craving that pierces us with many pangs and leads us away from Jesus.
The risk here is for us to mistakenly conclude that this passage does not apply to us if we are not uber-wealthy. Hungering for money leads to us compromising our convictions, alienating our friends and family, violating the law, and living in continual discontentment. Worst, it makes us believe that “godliness with contentment” is not enough.
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One Thing to Think About: Am I content right where I am?
One Thing to Pray For: A balanced and appropriate view of money
