1 Timothy 6:9-11
Thoughts from Amanda Cook
Dive Deeper
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
1 Timothy 6:9-11
Behind the Scenes
Pastor Josh taught on this passage of scripture last week, and I was blown away by the fact that the desire to be rich can also be sinful. This word desire means to “will deliberately”. This conjures a picture of just obsessing and thinking nonstop about how to get more money. This becomes all you think about. You begin to cut corners, overcharge, maybe skim a little off the top. Or maybe, you see a chance to get rich quick. Someone offers you an “opportunity” that seems harmless at first. Suddenly you find yourself in deep doing something you would never have done before. And you know it’s wrong, but the money is just so good.
Or maybe it’s something a lot more innocent. Maybe it’s just scrolling Facebook Marketplace, ZuLily, or Amazon. You put a ton of stuff in your cart, but it’s okay because you don’t ever buy any of it. But here’s the rub – if you’re spending all that time scrolling “innocently”, where are your thoughts? Are you thinking about how you can better love your family, your neighbors, your God? You see, anything that draws your attention away from God is an idol – and idolatry is a sin. Therefore, that “innocent” scrolling – yup, still a sin…
Make it Real
This is all too familiar for me. While Covid ultimately brought me closer to God, it also allowed me WAY too much time for that mindless scrolling. I developed a habit, and that habit drew my attention away from God. I’m still fighting that habit.
So, what does Paul say about these desires? He says, “flee these things.” He doesn’t say avoid them or only do them a little bit. No, he says FLEE and then “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” And that “pursuit” is the antithesis of fleeing. It’s not enough just to run away, you must also willfully, actively pursue the things of God. If we don’t, the enemy will just put something else in its place that takes your attention away from God.
I was talking to a friend about this, and I love how her family intentionally thinks about money and generosity. I was telling her that I realized that I had been saying that “when I’m rich, I’m going to be ridiculously generous.” I know, you all see the pitfall in this. If I’m not generous with what I have now, why would that change when I had more money? Well, it wouldn’t. So how do I change that? How can I be ridiculously generous now with what I have?
I need to be intentional with my money like my friend. Her family has a SANFAN (See a need, fill a need) account. They put a “tithe on their tithe” in their account, and when a need comes up, they are able to go to that fund and use it as God wills. I find this so cool because it’s saving money expecting and knowing that God already has someone He’s going to place in your life that has a need. It’s saying, “God, this money is yours to spend how You will. Use me to bless someone in Your name.”
In light of this, what can you do to be more intentional in your generosity? Where has money or the obsession with money drawn your attention away from God? I challenge you to spend some time in prayer this week to see what God has for you. Go to Him expectantly and excited about what He will show you.
Colleen McGeorge
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father God, I know that everything I have comes from You. Please Lord lead me in Your ways. Show me how to be intentional with my generosity and Lord blow me away with Your faithfulness. God I’m excited to see how You use me to bless others. Thank You for giving me a heart to serve You.
In Jesus’ mighty and precious name!
Amen!