1 Timothy 6:5‑10, 17
Money is a root of all sorts of family problems. Many families are in financial bondage. Surveys of married couples find the major troublemaker in homes today is not sex, children, or in‑laws—it’s money. Satan’s plan is to keep families in financial bondage.
God has a lot to say about money problems. In the early church, Paul found that some members were “of corrupt minds,” thinking a mask of godliness would be a way to enrich themselves. He warned, “Stay away from such people” (1 Timothy 6:5)!
Avoid the money trap. Take these four truths to heart.
Lack of Money Can’t Take Away Genuine Contentment
Write this in your Bible: True contentment is an inner sufficiency that keeps us at peace in spite of outward circumstances.
God says, “If you have your basic needs met and you have Me, you can be content.”
The desire for more isn’t making us happy—it’s making us unhappy. Advertisers work overtime convincing us we need something newer, bigger, and better—sowing seeds of discontent.
Stop that deadly thinking. Learn the great difference between “wants” and genuine needs. Lead your family to:
- Confess the sin of discontentment.
- Begin daily to thank God and praise Him for what Jesus has done for your family. It needs to be a family affair. Bring your children in on this. Remind them daily at mealtimes when you pray, and at other times, of what you have that money can’t buy and death can’t take away. Praise God for those assets.
- Take a frank look at all your debt. Involve your children in this. Write it down. It will be as painful as getting on the scales after New Year's, but do it. Then as a family, set a goal: we don't have to have that new coat. Our car will go another 20,000 miles. We don't need the latest gadget. “We’ll get out of debt, and we’ll do it as a family. Then we're going to celebrate when we do.”
Come together as a team. Working on the same problem will bring your family unity.
Loss of Money Is Inevitable (1 Timothy 6:7)
Money talks. It says “Good‑bye” (Proverbs 23:5). One day we’ll leave all this world's goods behind. Francis of Assisi said we should “wear this world like a loose garment.” Missionary statesman Jim Elliott said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
When you die, what do you want your children, your grandchildren, your spouse, to say about you? “He really spent long hours at the office”? What are you leaving behind in the hearts of your children?
Do not die a Christ-less death. Money will not by your way into Heaven (Proverbs 11:4).
Love of Money is Dangerous (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
If you seek satisfaction in money, you’ll never find it. Wealth increases worries because there’s so much to be responsible for. If money becomes your god, you’ll be working when you should be with your family. “Do not overwork to be rich” (Proverbs 23:4).
Success is measured by godliness.
God knows you have needs. He wants them to be met. He will give you things you don't need just because He loves you. Your heavenly Father isn’t a cosmic killjoy. Instead, He says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Don’t become a slave to money. It’s a wonderful servant but a poor master. Instead, make sure you have treasure in Heaven. (See Matthew 6:20.)
Luxury of Money Brings Responsibility
God is the owner of this world (Psalm 24:1). He has loaned wealth to us and made us stewards over it (1 Corinthians 4:2). He instructs us to…
Be humble (1 Timothy 6:17). Don’t flaunt your wealth.
Be trustful. "Trust…in the living God" (v.17), not the wealth you’ve spent years storing up.
Be joyful. Satan will tempt you to think God doesn't want you to have a good time, but He does. “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).
Be generous (1 Timothy 6:18-19). Don’t hold on to wealth like a Scrooge. Wealth is both opportunity and obligation. Let your children see you give and let them learn generosity from you.
The greatest wealth you have isn’t in the bank. It’s your children. You can't take your money to Heaven, but I'm taking my children to Heaven, and so can you.
If you’re Christlike, you're already wealthy. Your worth is set by the price paid for you: Jesus purchased your salvation with His priceless blood.
Thank God for the things that really matter. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6), and that godliness comes when we give our hearts to Jesus Christ and trust Him as our Lord and Savior.
