Today we continue with Paul’s warnings and encouragements to young Timothy in 1 Timothy. The subject is the use of money. False teachers in Ephesus were equating wealth with contentment, much like prosperity preachers of today. Paul encourages us to simply be happy with what we already have. Pay particular attention to verse 10!

1 Timothy 6 (Common English Bible)

⁶ Actually, godliness is a great source of profit when it is combined with being happy with what you already have. ⁷ We didn’t bring anything into the world and so we can’t take anything out of it: ⁸ we’ll be happy with food and clothing. ⁹ But people who are trying to get rich fall into temptation. They are trapped by many stupid and harmful passions that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some have wandered away from the faith and have impaled themselves with a lot of pain because they made money their goal.     

¹¹ But as for you, man of God, run away from all these things. Instead, pursue righteousness, holy living, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Compete in the good fight of faith. Grab hold of eternal life—you were called to it, and you made a good confession of it in the presence of many witnesses. 

Verse 10 is probably one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. You’ve likely heard the misquote: “Money is the root of all evil.” Read it again. It actually says that the love of money is the root of evil. Money is not inherently evil, but loving it and pursuing it at all costs can certainly result in being trapped in stupid and harmful passions.

John Wesley would agree. In his sermon “The Use of Money,” he outlined three sensible ways to handle our wealth. First, we are to gain, or earn, all we can. This level-headed statement enables the two that follow. Next, Wesley encouraged us to save all we can. Building a nest egg for retirement and future unexpected costs is a good plan. Finally, Wesley counseled us to give all we can. Wesley’s intense commitment to social holiness was lived out in his support and concern of those in the work houses and the vulnerable poor in his community. Giving all you can is how you can return your tithe of God’s blessing, acknowledging that everything you have is a gift from God.

Paul appropriately reminded us that you can’t take your wealth with you. Having come into the world with nothing, it’s a good idea to leave with nothing and bless others on your way out by giving all you can (verse 7). Following Wesley’s three directives of wealth management would enable us to avoid the ruin and destruction that results from trying to get rich for the sake of getting rich whilst wandering away from our faith in the meantime. 

Do you follow Wesley and Paul’s advice regarding managing your money? Does this Scripture call you to change anything? Don’t get trapped. Be happy with what you already have!

Malham’s Cove