Our Scripture reading today is 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
Verse 10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Money is something that we need for the essentials of life - food, clothing and shelter. Our verse for today does not say money is the root of all evil, but it does say loving money is the problem. When I think of the love of money, I think of someone who is never satisfied with what they have. Someone was asked how much would be enough and the answer given was just one more dollar. In other words, there would never be enough. The overriding theme of this passage is contentment. As God's children, we are to be content with what He has given us. Remember, all that we have is from Him. It is our responsibility to be a faithful steward or manager.
Do you have your money or does your money have you? The first and basic indicator for the born again Christian is are we tithing (10% of our income) and giving (freewill) offerings. This will tell us if we love more, money or God. Ouch! Yes, sometimes, a spiritual ouch is needed to awaken us to the errors of our ways. Malachi 3:8, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." 1 Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."