1 Tim 6:9-11: 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. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. [NIV]
We are to flee from the love of money, flee from the many griefs that come when we chase after wealth. John D. Rockefeller started Standard Oil. Rockefeller was at one point the world’s richest man and first ever American billionaire. He became a billionaire in the early 1900’s so many consider him the richest person in modern history. When a reporter asked him, “How much money is enough?” He responded, “Just a little bit more.”
The unfortunate thing about the pursuit of wealth is that it never ends. It’s always, “just a little bit more.”
Paul tells us that we (children of God) are to have different pursuits. We are to pursue godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. These pursuits have eternal value. We are to be eager for godliness to rise in our lives. We are to have faith and love increase more and more. Endurance will pay many dividends as we go through life’s difficulties. And gentleness … gentleness reaps a wonderful reward.
Money, wealth, stuff remain on this side of the veil. Godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness fill our eternal bank account on the other side!
Father, may we always eagerly pursue the things that truly matter! Amen.
