Pursue Righteousness

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

 --1 Timothy 6:10-11  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on September 14, 2013 of Proverbs 5:1-6; 1 Timothy 6; Ecclesiastes 8-10.

Paul closes his first letter to Timothy by giving him instruction on some of the various responsibilities of the church and its leadership as regards certain relationships, the teaching of false doctrine, money versus godliness, and trust and confidence. Paul begins with a brief discussion of the relationship slaves should strive to maintain with their masters, a problem he addressed in his letters to the Corinthians (in the first one), to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, to Titus, to Philemon (himself a slave holder), and here to Timothy. Paul and the New Testament writers did not question or directly argue against the institution of slavery, which was prevalent in their age, but did try to mitigate its effects and the slaves' condition by changing and improving the attitudes of both masters and slaves, and especially when both were believers. He expected them to meet on equal terms in the church and in fellowship, not as masters and slaves. Paul then again addresses the dangers of false teachings in the church before turning to a warning about money before closing with an admonition to young Timothy to be prudent and faithful with all that has been entrusted to him.

Today's focus verses in effect compare two different concepts of wealth, one that believers should avoid and one we should pursue. Notice that Paul finds no fault with money itself. There is nothing wrong with earning and having money. In a commercial society we need money to survive and help others survive. No, Paul warns that it is the love of money that is a root from which springs to life all kinds of evil. Paul's use of the phrase "a root" indicates that evil arises in our hearts not just from greed, but from other sources as well. If we place more and more importance on gaining and amassing great material wealth, then our faith will suffer. If that happens and we are very lucky (translated: if God is very merciful to us), then the Spirit will speak to us and our conscience will hurt (from being pierced through with many sorrows) and we will turn from greed. Otherwise we will ultimately pay with our eternal life.

But then Paul tells us how we can avoid this fate. He shows us a different type of wealth we should go after, a spiritual wealth. First we should turn our minds and our hearts away from trying to accumulate money or power or influence or anything else that would cause us to stray from the Way, and instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Strive to do what God would consider right in His eyes, use Jesus as an example of how to live and to serve God and mankind, and truly love each other just as Jesus loves us. If we follow Paul's instructions, we will accumulate a wealth in heaven far greater and more valuable than all the money in the world. Amen.

Lord Jesus, Paul warns us not to love material wealth, but to instead seek a spiritual wealth by following You. We know our heavenly Father provides all our needs and will bless our generosity. Please help us remember that wealth earned but not shared will be as a millstone about our neck and will serve us no good at our end. In Your most holy name, Jesus our Christ we pray. Amen.