Many people must have more and more material things in order to be happy and feel successful. But riches can be a trap and lead to bondage, not freedom. Instead of giving satisfaction, riches can create additional desires; and these must be satisfied. Instead of
providing help and health, an excess of material things hurts and wounds. Paul described the result very vividly: “Harmful desires … plunge men into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9, NIV). It is the picture of a man drowning! He trusted his wealth and “sailed along,” but a storm came and he sank.

It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth. God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire, but his motive for laboring must not be money. That would make him a “hireling,” and not a true shepherd. We should not ask, “How much will I get?” but rather “How much can I give?”

Sad, but true: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Also read: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Mark 4:19.

Action assignment: Talk to God about a proper attitude toward money; tell Him you want a real biblical attitude (if that’s true!). Consider how you can be a good steward of the money God has given you.