I’d love to memorize most of 1 Timothy 6 because it is chock full of so much goodness. There’s a statement in there that, if you were raised in the church like me, you’ve known most of your life – “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” And we’ve all heard that no, it’s not MONEY, rather the LOVE OF money that’s the root of evil. But I admit that I usually skimmed over this passage until just a few months ago, thinking this did not apply to me. I mean, I don’t struggle with loving money because I DON’T HAVE IT. So I don’t have anything to love! Paul says this to Timothy to convict the wealthy, the blessed, those who have.

But it hit me a few months ago, and it hit me again this morning in Bible study – I can just as easily love money as my neighbor who has plenty of it. I can very easily fall into a thinking of “If we just had enough to pay off debt and live comfortably,” or “God doesn’t want me to do that, it would cost too much money.” In other words, I can use money as God’s method of directing my life, instead of hearing His voice without holding to any assumptions. Yes, He definitely uses money sometimes as a cut-and-dry method of speaking to me – I can’t afford a Jaguar, so I shouldn’t buy one. But to hold too high a value on money, to presuppose the world’s economy onto heaven’s… that can easily turn in to a love of money. At least in my life.

But what I really dig is what Paul tells Timothy after this – to FLEE from “all this” (loving money), and instead PURSUE fruits of the Spirit. Run AWAY from the flesh, and run TOWARDS the spirit. This is such a good word picture for me. I have to literally run away (“Run away! Run away!”) from sin, because it can catch me, and I have to run towards righteousness, because it’s not in my nature to just be holy effortlessly. And then to FIGIHT the good fight of the faith, and to TAKE HOLD of the eternal life. Have an eternal perspective here on earth; live by heaven’s economics, not the world’s. Good verb choice, Paul.

And finally, in verse 19, Paul reminds me that laying up treasures in heaven and not the world is laying down a firm foundation, because eternity is “life that is truly life.” Reminds me of so much of C.S. Lewis’ writings, such good analogies of this present life being a mere shadow of our reality afterwards. I need to remember that in all my budgeting, bill paying, and decision-making, this life is a blink of God’s eye. I’ve got a mansion waiting for me, baby.

My Bible study group leader, who is a godly woman I highly esteem, gave us 6 ways to put all this into practice:
1. Remember that one day our riches will be gone.
2. Be content with what you have (it’s from God).
3. Monitor closely what you’re willing to do to get more money.
4. Love people more than money.
5. Love God’s work more than money.
6. Be generous.

So, you know, easy stuff. Anyway… Sorry to get preachy. This is just so applicable to me right now, I’m compelled to write about it.

posted: 06 March 1
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