1 Timothy 5 - Wealth

Paul addresses Timothy with an issue that has haunted me for a long time. Is it wrong for a Christian to be wealthy? Growing up, that is what I perceived, with “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) or quotes like “money is the root of all evil” (quoted incorrectly). Verse 10 states “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.”

This shows to me that how you place the significance of wealth can be sinful. If you seek wealth for your own gain, its only money you’re after, then that is sinful (v. 9). If you place riches before God and trust in money to save you, then that is sinful (v 17). That is, if you place your trust in money and seek it solely for your own benefit, then you are placing wealth in a higher place in your life than God, which is breaking the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me (God)…” (Exodus 20:3).

It is not, in my opinion, saying wealth is bad, but if you covet it, it is. (v. 17) “…put their (wealthy) hope in God, who RICHLY PROVIDES us with everything for our ENJOYMENT.” Not just our needs, but everything for our enjoyment. But there is more, to keep from coveting money we are commanded to (18) “…do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”. The Message version says “to be extravagantly generous”. Therefore, being extravagantly generous and willing to share breaks the sinful hold that wealth can have on you. Placing your trust in God, following Him above all else, putting His wealth that He gave to you to use for His glory is not sinful, but what God expects us to do. He blesses us, we bless others, period.

Why is it so hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, because many usually place their faith in money, not in God. That is what, I believe, Jesus was saying in Mark 10. By placing their faith in wealth, they fall victim to many different kinds of sins (as 1 Timothy 10 states). Is it better to live in poverty, trusting in the Lord, rather than be wealthy and be led astray, ABSOLUTELY. However, we are God’s children, He wants the very best for us, not to live in poverty but to be richly blessed. Therefore, we must realize what wealth is, a gift from God. Not ours to horde, but a tool to be used to bless others, for His glory and His plan. If we keep our focus on God, place Him above all else, and use His gift of wealth in that manner, then wealth is not a sin, but a glorious gift from our Almighty Father.

Lord, please help me to remember that wealth is a gift from You, to be used for Your purpose and design, to bless others. Help me to be a proper steward of Your wealth. You have and will richly provide for me, beyond my needs, please help me to follow Your commands and be extravagantly generous to bless others for Your glory, not my own.