The Love of Money

“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.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

Judas was a disciple of Jesus for three years. For three years, he heard Jesus preach about the kingdom of God. For three years, he watched Jesus miraculously heal the sick and feed thousands and walk on water. Yet, after all that, what did he do? Betray Jesus. Why? For money.

If it could happen to Judas, do you think it could happen to you and me? Sadly, yes! Watch out! “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

Of course, money itself isn’t the root of all kinds of evil. Every good gift is a blessing from God. The problem is that we’re always tempted to love what God gives us instead of loving God himself. It’s not money that’s the root of all kinds of evil. It’s the “love of money” that’s the problem.

Do you love money? Before you quickly say, “No!”, think about it. Someone once said that you can know what you love by what you daydream about. When you have free moments, when your mind wanders, what do you think about? Is it money? How great it would be to win the lottery? How much you’d love to have a new house or a fancy car? How life would be so much better if you could be rich?

Watch out! If ever you love money, you are setting yourself up for a big fall. “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.” The news is filled with sad stories of people whose love for money ruined their careers. Their marriages. Their families. Their health. Their lives.

But that’s not the worst part. “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith.” To ruin your career is one thing. To wander from the faith like Judas did? That’s worse. Do you know where wandering from the faith leads? To hell! 

Jesus loves you too much to lose you. If your heart is wandering today, heed this warning: Watch out for the love of money!

Dear Lord, it’s always tempting to love what you give us instead of loving you. Don’t let the love of money ever pull our hearts away from you. Amen.

Pastor Nathan