The Truth About Riches

Paul said being God like and content with the state in which one finds himself leads to the richest rewards (1 Peter 4:11-12). Jesus urged his followers to seek the best interests of God and his kingdom first and all the material things they truly needed would be provided (1 Timothy 6:6; Matthew 6:25-34).

Those who spend their lives trying to amass a material fortune will be disappointed to find that none of those things can be taken to the grave or beyond. Babies enter the world with nothing, not even clothes, and everyone leaves the world as he came. Any blessings God gives us beyond food and clothing are beyond our basic needs and should be received with thankfulness (1 Timothy 6:7-8).

Those who seek material wealth are like an animal in a trap. Instead of wanting what is best for them, they lust after things that will ultimately only bring them hurt. Seekers of material wealth are compared by Paul to a swimmer tired of fighting the current who is at last pulled under to his death. In the end, his uncontrolled desires will lead to the utter ruin of body and soul (1 Timothy 6:9).

After observing the previously mentioned facts, it is no wonder that Paul said the love of money is the root of all evil. Those who devote all their efforts to this god will invariably leave the faith of Christ behind and will find themselves with a painful conscience from all the wrong they did to get more while at the same time feeling miserable because they do not possess even greater wealth (1 Timothy 6:10).

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising