“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we’ll be content with that. 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 6:6-10
- When Paul writes about being content with “food and clothing” then mentions “those who are rich,” he reflects the biblical concept of wealth as having more than one needs to survive. How do you define wealth? When do you know you’re rich?
- “Harmful desires” is better translated as “harmful over-desires.” Desiring things is not wrong, but when we over-desire we seem to get in trouble. What does an over-desire for money look like? Act like?
- What “kinds of evil” can you think of that result from “the love of money?”
- How can money cause some to “wander from the faith?” What do you suppose “pierced with many griefs” means?
- The rich young man who approached Jesus was failing in commandment one: “You shall have no other gods before me.” What does that tell us about money and wealth?
- How are you loving God more than money? Are you giving generously to the things of God or like the rich man is that a non-starter for you?
