This final chapter of 1 Timothy contain one of the most familiar quotes. Verse 10 says ‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil’. Often misquoted as ‘money is the root of evil’. The missing words ‘love of’ and ‘all kinds of’ are so important and we need to correct any miss quote we witness. If money alone were the root then most of us reading this would be struggling.
The first commandment God gave to Moses was that we should have no other gods before Him. We love God! Or do we love money? We can serve only one God and here Paul is quite adamant that for those who love money there will not be a good outcome. Instead, our gift is one of contentment; knowing that you have enough should be enough. Money is a necessity in this world, but this life is temporary. Our life to come, in glory with our Heavenly Father and all the saints is eternal, so shouldn’t we be working for that?
If you have enough of anything isn’t it obvious to share with those who don’t your abundance? Paul teaches us here that the love of money and efforts to amass great wealth will count for nothing in eternity. We and Timothy should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Thereby, we take a hold of the eternal life that awaits us all. These closing sentences Paul writes have such power and encouragement to us all. The promise of our eternity with God and each other in a place so amazing and wonderful. Full of His glory and light, without darkness or sin.
I hope and pray that the thought of it excites you just as it does me. We have so much to look forward to. Praise be to God in the highest!
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Action:
Take a few minutes to dwell on the eternal life that awaits you, with Christ and in Christ while we serve Him in this life. Strain for what is ahead of you and eagerly run the race He has set before you.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus please help to fix my eyes on you and my destination with you in glory forever. But allow me to run the race set before me in this life to the best of my abilities so that I may glorify your name and be a witness to those around me of your goodness and love. Amen.