It's Not About the Money

Do you worry about money?  A lot of people do.  I googled sayings about money and many familiar ones popped up.  Are any of these familiar to you?  Money makes the world go ‘round, it’s all about the Benjamins, she works hard for the money, money talks, a penny saved is a penny earned, money doesn’t grow on trees, time is money… I could go on and on.

There have been countless books written on how to make money.  You can attend seminars, listen to podcasts or CDs all telling you how to make money.  Why does making money consume our focus?  The answer is obvious isn’t it.  When we have money, we feel secure to take care of ourselves.  We can pay our bills, feed our family, put a roof over our heads, and plan for our future.

Money and wealth are hot button topics. Our scripture today warns against the LOVE of money, and praises the efforts of hard work.

Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. Vs. 10

The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
    whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
    permits them no sleep. Vs. 12

Taking care of ourselves and our family is different than loving money, but I think it can be a slippery slope when we look to money and wealth to solve all our problems. I love what verses 18 and 19 say,

“¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 

It is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor… I love that.  Working hard and enjoying the fruit of our labor is not a bad thing, but it would be good for us to all remember, it’s not about the money.

Read today's passage here

Love of Money - 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Ever wonder what happens to people who win big money in a lottery? Many use their money to benefit family, friends and community. Some lose their money and themselves to worldly desires. Stories tell of hopes to buy a mansion, take a cruise, buy an expensive car…long lists of wants. In the end: Money runs out, people fade away, and some end up on destructive paths.

When we rely on worldly wealth to provide our needs we continually feel the need to have more and more for ourselves.

However, Paul reminds us even if we’re godly, going to church and praying regularly, giving to the poor, and supposedly doing all the things we should be doing as Christians, we miss the point if we’re not content with what God gives us!

God wants to bless us; take care of us. He is generous. Contentment comes from our faith when we let God dwell in our hearts. We believe God is good. He knows our every need. We choose to commit our trust to God’s goodness, care, and love to provide for our needs. He is all we need.

Paul states that we brought nothing with us when we came into the world and we can take nothing out of it. Our hope must rest in God. It's His love that can’t be taken away. His love is the one thing we can carry with us throughout our lives in this world and into the next.

Everything the Lord gives us is good. He’s so good to us all the time it's almost unbelievable, but that’s what makes Him God. Out of His goodness, He even gave us His own life!

Read today's text, 1 Timothy 6:3-10, on Biblegateway.