17 September 2021
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:6-12, NRSV
Paul’s words on the subject of money are often misquoted as deeming money itself to be the root of all evil. Paul is not saying that money itself is a problem – he knew only too well the necessity of money and often wrote to encourage material giving to help those in need. However, Paul does recognise the problems that arise when money and wealth become that which people love and pursue above all. Paul wanted the Church at Ephesus to be conscious of this problem and to pursue instead the values that would bring the much greater reward of eternal life
- How can the pursuit of wealth lead people away from God?
- In our materialistic age, what does a person need in order to be content?
Give thanks for all that brings contentment and joy to your life and consider what you might be able to do to support those who lack even the basics.
