Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Epistle, 1 Timothy 6:6-19                                  

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Money is the root of all evil. Now that’s in the bible and avoiding being trite, you can “take that to the bank.” Uh, now wait just a second. Careful reading reveals that our opening statement is NOT what the bible says. 1 Timothy 6:10 reads, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (ESV, emphasis mine). The popular culture holds as one of its points of opposition to the Christian faith that to be a Christian means to look down on worldly wealth. Then, the world sees the immense wealth taken in to drive ministries and churches and the lifestyles of the rich and famous PASTORS of pop Christianity, and well …. Confusion, criticism, and a big mess.

Luther said, “If you want to hear God speak, read Holy Scripture.” True. But we have to be good and careful readers so we can know what God actually says. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Love of money. Attachment, or better inordinate attachment of the heart to money is the problem. And it is rampant. Christians themselves are not immune to the dangers and that is precisely why the blessed apostle writes this warning to a young pastor named Timothy.

It’s always good to run from danger. And Paul, immediately on the heels of this warning gives the route of escape: “Pursue righteousness (think Jesus), godliness (think Jesus), faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness (think Jesus every step)” (6:11, additions mine). Then on to the good fight of faith, or how I achieve the escape from danger and eternal life, which is the escape’s endgame. We know the love of money is a great danger by the greatness of the Antidote.

Your heart will belong to God alone, or you will attempt to live for a false god. Or perhaps for the true God with an “and” following. No deal. Impossible says Jesus elsewhere. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). That’s what the bible says.