“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.” I Timothy 6:10
Forgive me for reverting to the old life – it is hardly worth remembering, but you may relate to this. Remember the O’Jays (1958 to present)? In 1974, they released a recording under the title, “For the Love of Money,” celebrating the accumulation of wealth, but to the credit of the writer, if you read the words carefully, you will see that it contains one of the more repugnant warnings about the dangers of loving the almighty dollar. The writer talks about the crass things people do when they attempt to accumulate wealth for the love of it. They cheat, they lie, and they steal – even from their own mother.
I’d like to suggest that you read the lyrics of that song once more for the lesson that is hidden there. Just google. You’ll find it. Here’s a verse of it.
For the love of money people will steal from their mother
For the love of money people will rob their own brother
For the love of money people can’t even walk the street
Because they never know who in the world they’re gonna beat
For that lean, mean, mean green almighty dollar, money
Of course, as most lyrics that are not seasoned from the Word of God, the words of the last verse are offensive, yet they are true and they give us a wake-up call to test our motives for seeking ungodly accumulation of wealth, and that reaches from the pulpit to the pew. God is no respecter of persons when it comes to sin and degradation. (You know if your name is being called, if your number is being drawn. The Word of God is convincing and convicting of sin.)
To live off the good graces of God and the ministry of His Word for personal monetary gain is as evil as the grossest of sins. I think of the leper who had to go about the streets crying “unlean, unclean!” A man who dons the cloak of a minister of God and turns it to money and self gratification is unclean, indeed.
Notice our text: “… the love of money is the root of all evil …” Did you get that key word? Now listen to verse 11. But thou, O Man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (I Timothy 6:11).
Notice to whom the apostle speaks – the man of God. Paul identifies his audience as “preachers, pastors, ministers.” Men of God who have not followed the virtues he sets forth in this verse 11.
When God makes a demand in His Word, He always gives us a “means of escaping” anything that is evil wherein we are guilty. Paul tells us in verse 12 to “fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.”
That is our job as Christians, and as preachers of the Gospel of Christ, it is twofold. We are to fight the good fight of faith. Why? Because it is our calling. It is our profession – a good profession according to verse 12. And many are watching our lives like a hawk.
Preacher, pastor – do you understand that you are performing (or not performing) your ministry before “many witnesses”?
People are watching our lives.
More importantly – God knows whether we are performing our profession according to His requirements for a godly minister. “I charge you in the sight of God” — to keep this commandment. Keep yourself above reproach (without spot). How long, dear preacher? Verse 14 says – “Until Jesus comes.”
Paul, in this 6th chapter of I Timothy doesn’t leave us wondering what to do. He was speaking to young Timothy, giving godly father-in-the-faith instructions. These instructions are for us, as well. We must lay hold on them, and understanding wealth accumulation and management must be undergirded with Paul’s charge to Christians.
He talks about the “fight” in verse 12. It’s a good fight of faith and it has an end. Don’t stop here. The charge continues in verse 17:
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
Paul needs us to understand that a life hidden in Christ will issue in Glory with Him, and if we have accumulated wealth to His honor and Glory and if we honor God with our substance, then we don’t have to worry about being judged as a “lover of money.” Do you remember these wonderful words from the Apostle?
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also
that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8
Let me stress once more the importance of the man of God who is called to handle the Word of God and to administer instruction according to His commandments, and may I say to you, if you are “robe-ing-up” on Sunday morning, eager to watch as the offering plate is passed so that you may continue your lavish lifestyle, you must consider the wickedness of your heart in the lust for money. Listen to what Peter has to say in his epistle:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us,
what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
I Peter 4:17-18
We are called to:
• Honesty
• Purity
• Integrity
• Faithfulness
• Humility
• Vigilance
• Sobriety
Think on these things!
Finally, take a look on all our currency in this country which features photos of mostly dead people. Dead presidents. We must learn to lean on Christ, our Eternal Rock, not dead presidents and definitely not on the lust for money!
“The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you.” II Timothy 4:22
Victor W. Baugh, Sr., Th.D., Ph.D.
Pastor, St. Luke AME Church
Havana, AL
http://www.thatgracemayabound.blogspot.com/
