Attachment to Money

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where
moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we
have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get
rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Jesus and Paul both taught on attachment to money. The
passages above are two examples of their teaching. In our wealthy evangelical
society, where wealth seems to be normal and not inordinate, we can easily
think that we are obeying this teaching.

Later on, in 1 Timothy 6, Paul speaks to the wealthy:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put
their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good,
to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy
6:17-18). 

We here in this ministry (Community Christian Ministries,
ccmbooks.org) have been the recipients of giving. We in turn are giving out of
this wealth.

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the Same
Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading
plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with
us.