MONEY CAN CAUSE US TO WANDER
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: "But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10, ESV
Theme: The love of money distracts, captivates, and enslaves people.
DISTRACTING
Could money be distracting me? When I consider the most important things in life, does the task I’m doing today make the list? For me, one of the big barriers to going on one of the international trips to serve with The Cove Church was finances. When I began preparing to go to South Africa, I realized that money wasn’t really the issue. Yet it was the excuse I made in my head. How do money concerns distract us from what is most important? Do we relax in curated homes, with styled outfits, picture-perfect vacations, and drool-worthy dinners? Do others “follow” us because of the money we appear to have? Or maybe in our struggle to make ends meet, we compromise because we feel we must.
FREEDOM
We do need some money to meet basic needs. Working to provide for ourselves and our families can be satisfying and God-honoring. Living in poverty can feel like prison. Rising above poverty brings the feeling of freedom. Paying off debt brings freedom. Saying goodbye to a mortgage feels like freedom. Saving for college costs or for retirement may be a wise choice. Many times, we earn money to accomplish worthy goals. Yet anything that can be done well to the glory of God, we may wrongly elevate above it’s intended place, making it an idol. Making more money, growing a bigger nest egg, buying a larger home (or second home), having more things, providing the best experiences, environments, food, vacations, homes, gadgets, and outfits can become excessive and can actually enslave us to the desire of always wanting more.
SLAVES
We are all slaves; the question is, to what? “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, ESV). We don’t get to be our own masters. God purchased our freedom with Jesus’ death on the cross. Yet we submit to oppressive vocations. We submit to weeks without church fellowship or sabbath rest. We submit to sinful, corrupt work culture. “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human beings” (1 Corinthians 7:23, NIV). Money promises freedom. However, wanting more tempts us to submit to voluntary slavery. God wants a better life for us. Money doesn’t buy freedom; only God does that.
Make It Personal: How do I know if I’m distracted by love of money? What activities, bills, or commitments seem to enslave me? What can I learn from my answers to those questions?
Pray: Father, thank You for providing everything I need now and in eternity. Help me to discern the difference between faithfully and humbly working toward Your purposes and allowing You to provide for the rest. I want to put You first. I want to seek freedom and not slavery. Open my eyes to my errors and point me towards the right path. Help me to take the first step today. You are so faithful and patient with me. Thank You.
Read: 1 Timothy 6:17-21; 2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10, NLT