Passage of the Day: 1st Timothy 6: 6 – 10 [see in bold and underlined ] … 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 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. 10 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.
My Journal for Today: Today John MacArthur in Strength for Today revisits 1st Tim. 6: 10 (please review my devotional entry for Aug. 3 by going to this link) in the context of Paul’s teaching to Timothy and the church about the dangers of loving money and/or holding to a life focus on materialism. At the heart of this pursuit of worldly gain is, of course, greed and/or covetousness; and MacArthur wisely writes, “It’s hard to imagine a sin that has not been committed for the sake of greed.” Do we need to wonder why Paul’s exposition of truth exposes us all in Romans 3: 23, … “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Is there anyone reading here who’s never been greedy or coveted something in their lives?
And in today’s verse Paul uses colorful word pictures to depict the outcomes of money-love. He says that those who become eager for money, “pierced themselves” with many griefs. The Greek word for “pierced” in today’s verse is the word, “peripiero,” which refers to being “skewered”, … much as we do meat for barbecue. Paul is saying that the love of money or materialism can puncture the heart/soul of the one who chooses to pursue material gain in lieu of trusting in God for His providence. And again, we’re reminded of the warnings from Jesus, Who declared that we cannot serve both God and money (see Matt. 6: 24). And David, the Psalmist, reminds us that those who refrain from wandering from the faith into materialism will be satisfied completely (see Ps. 32: 10 and Ps. 17: 15).
May all of us who claim Christ as Lord hold our love of God as our highest pursuit as John commanded in 1st John 2: 15 – 16 [an important verse to have memorized]; and therefore, we declare that we will not be lured by the lusts of this world. This is a worthy aspiration; but we need to be aware that Satan will be continually trying to puncture our hearts and deflate our testimony and witness with the temptation to place materialism higher and higher in our personal priorities – until one day we may discover that our choices elevate money and/or things above God.
May we all remain steadfast to the commitment and goal expressed in Matt. 6: 33 (which I’m sure you have in your heart by now).
My Prayer Today: Help me, Lord, focus on You above all worldly pursuits. Amen
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