Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:1,2 In Paul’s culture there was a great social and legal gulf separating masters and slaves. But as Christians, masters and slaves became spiritual equals, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Paul did not speak against the institution of slavery, but he gave guidelines for Christian slaves and Christian masters. His counsel for the master/slave relationship can be applied to the employee/employer relationship today. Employees should work hard, showing respect for their employers. In turn employers should be fair. Our work should reflect our faithfulness to and love for Christ.
1 Timothy 3:5,6. Paul told Timothy to stay away from those who just wanted to make money from preaching and from those who strayed from the sound teachings of the gospel into quarrels that caused strife in the church. A person’s understanding of the finer points of theology should not become the basis for lording it over others or making money. Stay away from people who just want to argue. This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on him, and we should be content with what God is doing for our lives.
1 Timothy 6: 8,9. It is often helpful to distinguish between needs and wants. We may have all we need to live, but let ourselves become anxious and discontented over what we merely want. Like Paul, we can choose to be content without having all that we want. The only alternative is to be a slave to our desires.
1 Timothy 6:10 Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that money brings happiness. Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only ends in ruin and destruction. How can you keep away from the love of money? Paul gives us some guidelines: realize that one day riches will be gone, be content with what you have, monitor what you are willing to do to get more money, love people more than money, freely share what you have with others.
1 Timothy 6:17 If you have been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord. Don’t be proud and don’t trust in your money. Use your money to do good. Be rich in good works, generous and ready to share. No matter how much money you have, your life should demonstrate that God controls the wealth that he has placed under your care.

If time and money were no object.
What would you do for God ?

image reference;flickr.com

GZ/KZ