It’s all about the money because money talks. The best things in life are free because money often costs too much. Money isn't everything. Usually it isn't even enough. That is the reason I am so poor I can’t pay attention.
The above quotes are trite sayings, some created by comedians, that have made their way into our regular vernacular. Take a second and think of other sayings about money. Money, finance, debt, wages, salary, and more money seems to dominate our way of life. We need money for housing and food and clothing and transportation and entertainment and vacation and more food. We live in a moment in our society where quality of life is often determined by the amount of money we possess. Even followers of Jesus, seem to find themselves caught up in a world inundated with non-stop talk about money. While the pursuit to get money is often categorized achieving financial security and wellness, there is the challenge of not allowing our pursuit of money to grow into an unhealthy craving. This, potentially, is where the love of money grows, and it becomes the root of all kinds of evil.
To make Paul’s writing to Timothy all about money would be to miss the bigger message. Contentment and being convinced that we have enough is the message. Trusting God is the message. This is not a call to embrace laziness or to abandon a drive to succeed. It is a caution to resist the overwhelming temptation to crave more than we need. This is a warning that pursuits beyond contentment may lead to a tragic demise. Unsubscribing from cravings and addictions takes place when we first recognize that we can get “trapped” in our senseless and harmful desires. Money continues to be a driving force in our world that fuels these harmful desires. When we are trapped, the way out is to place a firm trust in the God of all blessings. For God has blessings to give us that money cannot buy.
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
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 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people 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.