| A Heavenly Treasure by Eric Blick, September 18, 2026
1 Tim 6:10-11, 17
[10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. [11] But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness…
[17] As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
How are we to think about money?
What are we supposed to do if we have it? Is money evil? Paul makes the argument in 1 Timothy 6 that it is a tool for good, and it awakens us to better treasure that is lasting hope in the giving-God.
What things are we to flee, v10-11?
In verse 11 there is the command to flee these things plural. There is this hidden passion for money that is under all kinds of evil popping up. It is not just one evil. Flee the love and craving of money. It is not having money that we flee. It is the love of money whether you have it or not. You do not have to be rich to have this root under the surface permeating the evils in your life.
What does craving-love of money look like?
It is the “I must have it. I love it. I want more. I am more because of it. I control my future because I have it. I have more than you, therefore I am more valuable or even better than you. I day-dream about having more to be more and do more and have more. It captures my attention and affection.”
Why is this love and craving destructive?
Whether you have money or not, this craving kills because two things happen: you drift away slowly, lost from what really matters, and you get “pangs.” “Pangs” has been defined as a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing. Instead of getting satisfaction and peace you get pangs that disseminate in your life. Then because this idol does not deliver what it promised, you have to live with that fact that you did this to you. You did these pangs you have.
Instead what are we to pursue when we flee this root?
You are a child of God. That is who you are. Flee the love of money, and love something else. Become who you are. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Righteousness is perfection of holiness deposited to our account by faith in Christ, and this righteousness is from God (Phil. 3:9). Because you have this, act in accordance with that.
What if you do have money and do not love and crave it, how are you supposed to THINK about money, v17?
What is money? Money is both balance sheet and income statement. Ultimately wealth is net wealth or referred to as equity or capital. Its what’s left over after liabilities are paid off. Often it is gained through high earning power or cash flow or inheritance. Wealth is not bad nor even neutral, but a tool by God for tremendous good. But how do we think about it? Paul gives us four truths:
1. Being rich does not mean you will be rich in the next age.
This is a temporary age, v17. This present age is the “overlapping kingdom” of the already-and-not-yet-fully. Are you storing up treasures in the kingdom of God where nothing rusts (Matthew 6)?
2. Do not to be haughty.
You can’t say, “I did this. Why can’t you?” Haughty is the pride that says “I am not dependent on God as I was made, but I am now like God, independent, and can do the path I want.”
3. Do not have misplaced, groundless, empty, bold hope.
Your 401k is not guaranteed by anything, and it is one war or cyber attack from being pennies on the dollar. You are not a god, so your mist of perceived, protected independence will crash.
4. Rather in contrast of being haughty, love your dependence on God, and that he is your sure hope.
WHY do we know this hope is not groundless? It is based on the character and nature of just who this God is, and he is a “prodigal” God – one who lavishly gives. What is Paul contrasting as the opposite of the uncertainty of riches here? The stable God, the one who is lavish for our enjoyment.
Do we provide for our needs? No, that is tied to uncertainty. We are passive here. It is God who provides.
God’s model here is that everything is his, and it is his character to be lavish in how he provides. He is providing not merely money but that which is truly life as we will see in part 2. He is doing the providing, and he is not skimpy. He richly provides and does so not merely to meet a need, but this passage says that it is for our enjoyment!
Prayer:
Lord, you alone are the sovereign king where no one can stay your hand. We wait on you to provide all that we need as we labor with all our might in the vocations you have called us to for your glory. We look not to money but to you for the satisfaction of knowing this extravagant God who gives for our enjoyment. We love you.
Amen!
Write to us!
admin |
Leave a Reply