A study was done that tracked lottery winners to see what became of them after they won their newfound fortunes. I’m not talking about people who win playing “scratchers”, but people who had won millions. It’s interesting to note that of the 3,000 winners who were a part of this study, between them, they had purchased 8,000 homes and 17,000 cars. The average car price was $73,000. Even more interesting though was that within five years, about 70% of the winners had no money left from their winnings. Sadly, many of them reported divorce, new-found addiction to drugs or alcohol, and many cases of suicide and attempted suicide. Why do so many lottery winners end up in such despair?
This essay aims to expose the truth about wanting to be rich, and will expound on a passage in the Bible that talks about the pitfalls of loving money. Ultimately, the essay hopes to challenge you to consider what you’re pursuing in life. From what do you derive your satisfaction? Let’s unpack 1 Timothy 6:7-10.
Verse 7 begins, “For we have brought nothing into the world.” This is such an honest and bold claim. I’m reminded of the man Job, who, when faced with extreme loss, owned the fact that he holds claim over nothing. He stated in Job 1:21, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job knew that he contributed nothing to this world, at least not as far as bringing anything in it when he arrived. This is true for all of us. None can say, “That’s rightfully mine!” Even Adam, the first man, at his creation, was formed of the dust of the earth. Not even the dust from Eden (the paradise dust), but rather, he was formed from the common dust, the wild dust, that was outside of paradise. Keep in mind this was even before man had sinned. Adam was ushered into the garden, eventually sinned, and Adam was banished from the garden. He couldn’t say, “I’m entitled to be there. That’s rightfully mine! I’m made from the dust of the garden.” Adam brought nothing into Eden, nor anything into the world for that matter. Given that this truth applies to us as well, are there things which you feel entitled to? Do you get mad at God as though you are the rightful owner of something you’d lost? These sorts of sins need to be confessed and repented of.
Verse 7 continues, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” You’ve probably heard the expression, “You can’t take it with you.” Or, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-haul.” We leave just as empty-handed as we came. The point being, that no matter what you amass in this life, it’ll be left behind for others to do with as they please. Things of this world have no eternal value.
I recall seeing a bumper-sticker that read, “He who dies with the most toys wins!” It was usually on the back of some expensive car, or on a big truck that was loaded with expensive accessories, and usually pulling a boat or some jet-skis. People too often measure their value and worth based on material things, while all the while, failing to grasp the concept that he who dies with the most toys, still dies, and takes none of his toys with him.
Paul goes on in verse 8, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” Let’s put this verse in view with what Paul said previously in verse 6 of the same chapter, “Godliness is actually a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.” Contentment goes along with godliness. Contentment is what godliness will produce in an individual. We know that a Christian has both the Spirit of God alive in him and eternal life in heaven in front of him. These are cause for rejoicing! But even more, a godly believer also has his daily needs sufficiently met. A Christian who is content in these circumstances knows full well how great his gain is. Yet, some believers might look at the provisions of others and choose to be discontent with what they themselves have. The Jews have an old saying, “He is a rich man whose is contented with his riches.” Can you be content with the portion God has chosen for you?
Cautions like this ring throughout the Bible, such as we see in Psalm 37:16, “Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.” This verse, along with the previously mentioned verses, all point in the same direction. There’s no doubt that godliness is profitable for all aspects of life, and a believer who is truly godly will naturally also be content, as godliness and discontentment are not compatible. But some godly Christians can have their hearts wooed by the deceits of this world. Don’t let that happen to you. Choose to be content in the Lord, and don’t let your circumstances be cause for discontentment. Don’t be persuaded by the more immediate gratifications of the world, but be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11). When I’m content with what God has provided, I can focus my endeavors on what is godly, and not what is fleshly.
So, back to Paul’s words, where he gives examples of the provisions in which we ought to be content; “food and covering.” This is a way of describing the basic necessities of life. With these necessities provided for you from above, “we shall be content.” This harkens back to what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all “these things” will be given to you as well. “These things” refers to the necessities in life; what you eat, drink, wear, and your housing. God meets the needs of those that put Him first. Sometimes, a Christian can be tempted to think, “I just want nicer clothes, a faster car, and a bigger house! I love Jesus, but I also want more stuff.” We can be easily wooed by shiny things we see.
Let’s refresh what Paul said and continue on into verse 9, “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare” Getting rich isn’t a problem. God made many believers rich. The problem is with, “those who want to get rich.” These are the ones that are not content in the Lord. The word, “want,” points to one’s desire, affection, and purpose. Even a Christian can have his heart’s affection turned toward money. Paul says wanting to get rich is a “snare.” The word snare implies a trap, a noose, and something unexpected, which brings about peril, loss, or destruction. It’s obvious that wanting wealth and being godly don’t mix! Jesus reiterates this in His teaching inMatthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
So, do verses like this mean that a Christian can’t strive for high wages, or a bigger house, etc.? A Christian can certainly work hard to provide nicer things for himself and his family. The snare is in serving wealth; being governed by the pursuit of wealth. Once one’s allegiance is to money, and not the Lord, one is soon to be trapped in this snare.
Verse 9 continues, “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” Loving and serving wealth lead men into “many foolish and harmful desires.” What might be these foolish desires? I think what is meant is worldly lusts, the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. I’m reminded of an interview I saw before a Superbowl game, where a rich NFL player talked about how’d he’d seen his teammates go crazy with money. First it was the bigger homes and the exotic cars. Then it was rooms built onto their homes to hold their shoe and wrist-watch collections. Then it was helicopters, etc. It doesn’t end. Yes, God has allowed many men to be wealthy, but God’s desire is that they be a blessing of others. Blessed to be a blessing! However, some just stock-pile stupid things so as to draw attention to themselves. Paul goes on to say that these foolish desires, “plunge men into ruin and destruction.” Plunge is such a strong word. It’s not slight, like dipping a toe into the pool. It’s jumping in head-first. I think of Deon Sanders, the famous football player, who drove his car off of a cliff in order to try to commit suicide; literally plunging himself to ruin and destruction. In his book, “Power, Money and Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life,” Sanders talks about how he was so depressed, even at the height of his success. He was a professional football star, and a professional baseball star. A multi-millionaire, many times over. Athletic, handsome, and had ladies falling all over him. By the world’s standards, he had it all. Yet he was empty inside. He speaks of the first time he bought a Lamborghini, thinking to himself, “This will be it. This will be the thing that makes me happy.” As he tells his story, he got one mile down the road from the dealership and told himself, “This isn’t it.” Eventually, while driving some outrageously expensive custom Mercedes, he drove off a cliff with the intention of ending his life. He survived and, in his recovery, he turned to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. He goes on to talk about how Jesus alone fills the emptiness that he thought money, fame and sex would provide him. I don’t know the condition of Deon’s heart today, but at least for a time, he knew satisfaction was found only in Jesus Christ.
Paul continues in verse 10, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” This verse is often misquoted. Some make the mistake of saying, “money is the root of all evil.” No, money isn’t the problem, only loving money is evil. Others, like the King James version of the Bible, make the mistake of saying that, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” The love of money is not the root of all evil, as evil existed before money was even a thing. Sometimes, money is the root of evil, other times the root of evil is power, pride, lust, etc. The love of money is “a root of all sorts of evil.” Once a person gives his allegiance to money, all sorts of evil can and will arise from that root source.
Verse 10 continues, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith” I wonder how many men, who at one time were great godly men, have sacrificed their family and faith for the pursuit of money. It’s sad to consider, but you may know someone like that. I’m reminded of a couple from the Bible, the book of Acts, whose names were Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). They were believers but turned their allegiance to money instead of God. It cost them their lives.
Paul extends verse 10 further, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” The imagery here is strong; people who have, “pierced themselves.” Who would pierce themselves? You’d think nobody would do something as crazy as stab themselves with a knife, but, when one turns from faith in order to pursue money, that individual pierces himself with trouble, with, “many griefs.” Don’t bring trouble onto yourself! Be content in the Lord, and with the provisions He’s given you.
Some questions to meditate over are, “What are you pursuing?” “From what are you deriving your satisfaction?” “What do you feel entitled to?” I encourage you to submit to Christ and be content in this life. Don’t be persuaded by the “lusts of deceit” (Ephesians 4:22), which promise one thing and deliver something else entirely. They promise happiness and deliver death.