Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 1 Timothy 5-6 and Psalm 5

⁵ … (They) have been robbed of the truth and (they) 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 … 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.

In Matthew 6:24, the Lord Jesus explained in no uncertain terms that a person cannot serve both God and Money. Money has such allure that it will swiftly displace God as the King of our lives if it is allowed to take too central a place in our hearts and lives. We all run the risk of making our decisions based on their potential financial outcomes, rather than on the basis of what is pleasing to God. And this wrong priority will soon lead to compromise and eventually to entirely dethroning Christ as King. So, every follower of Jesus needs to be clear at all times that Jesus Christ is the King who sets the agenda for our lives … not Money.

The tragic reality is that, just as in Timothy’s day, Christians today are far too easily led astray by the false teaching that puts financial gain at the centre. Faith in Christ is presented as a means to financial gain. The apostle Paul is quick to point out that the greatest gain in life is a contented godliness. When pleasing Christ is someone’s highest priority, they will be content with their decisions in life despite their lack of financial gain, or even a potential financial loss brought about by faithfulness to Christ. As long as Christ is pleased with us, we are content with that outcome!

In his commentary, William Barclay points out that he word used for contentment is autarkeia , which literally means a complete self-sufficiency. It “indicated a frame of mind which was completely independent of all outward things, and which carried the secret of happiness within itself. Contentment never comes from the possession of external things.”

Life application: How do I make my decisions? Does the call of Christ override the call of profit? Pray for the grace to dethrone the love of money and to enthrone Christ more completely as Lord and King.