Chase Snyder | Co-Pastor, FBC Loganville
The Love of Money: Is It Costing You More Than You Think?
Money—whether we like to admit it or not—has a huge influence on our lives. We spend much of our time working for it, saving it, and planning how to spend it. But the Bible gives us a stark warning about the dangers of loving money too much. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul reminds Timothy that the love of money, not money itself, is a root of all kinds of evil. It’s a sobering reminder that how we approach money can shape our lives in ways we don’t always see until it’s too late.
Addressing the False Gospel of Wealth
The context of 1 Timothy 6 is important. Paul is writing to Timothy, a young pastor, leading a large church in Ephesus—a church surrounded by a culture of wealth and indulgence. False teachers were creeping into the church, twisting the message of the Gospel to fit their own desires for material gain. It’s a situation not unlike what we see today with the prosperity gospel, where people are taught that if they give enough or tithe generously, they’ll receive financial blessings from God.
Paul’s advice to Timothy is straightforward: guard against this false doctrine and teach people the truth. Money isn’t the problem, but our love for it is. The prosperity gospel, even in modern times, can make it seem like wealth is the ultimate sign of God’s favor. But Paul is clear—our blessing is Jesus, not financial prosperity.
In 1 Timothy 6:6, Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” In a world obsessed with accumulating more, Paul shifts the focus to godliness and contentment. True gain isn’t found in promotions, bigger houses, or fatter bank accounts. It’s found in living a life that is centered on Christ, free from the constant need for more.
The Truth About Contentment
What does contentment really look like? According to Paul, it’s simple. He says in 1 Timothy 6:8, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” In other words, if our basic needs are met, we should be content. That’s a hard pill to swallow in a culture that constantly pushes us to desire more.
But why is contentment so important? Because discontentment drives us to seek fulfillment in things that can never truly satisfy. If we’re not content with what we have, we’ll always be chasing something more—whether it’s a better-paying job, a bigger house, or the latest gadget. That endless pursuit only leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction. And worse, it can lead us down dangerous paths where we compromise our values and relationships in pursuit of wealth.
The Dangers of Wanting More
In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul gives a serious warning: “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
The desire for more—whether it’s wealth, possessions, or status—leads to temptation. It’s not the money itself that’s evil, but the intense craving for it. Some people, in their pursuit of wealth, wander away from their faith. They become so consumed with the pursuit of money that they forget what really matters—God, family, relationships, and living a life that reflects Christ.
Paul isn’t talking hypothetically. We’ve all seen this play out in real life. Think about families that have been torn apart by inheritance disputes or friends who become enemies over money. It’s a painful reality that discontentment, fueled by the love of money, can destroy relationships and leave lasting scars.
Money Is Not the Problem—Our Heart Is
Let’s be clear: Money itself isn’t evil. It’s a tool that can be used for good. Many people work hard, earn money, and use it to bless others, support their families, and advance God’s Kingdom. There’s nothing wrong with earning money or setting financial goals. The problem arises when money becomes the goal, the thing we love and pursue above all else.
Paul’s teaching is clear: the issue isn’t how much or how little money you have. It’s your heart’s posture toward it. You don’t have to be wealthy to struggle with the love of money. Some of the greediest people are those who don’t have much but spend all their energy trying to get more. The problem is rooted in discontentment—the constant feeling that what you have isn’t enough, and that money is the answer to your problems.
Discontentment Will Cost You Everything
The truth is, discontentment comes with a heavy price. It doesn’t just cost you financially; it can cost you emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Think about it: How many marriages are strained because of financial stress? How many people feel emotionally drained because they’re constantly comparing themselves to others who have more? And how many have drifted away from God, thinking that once they reach a certain level of financial success, they’ll finally be content?
Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money.” We have to choose. Contentment costs nothing, but discontentment can cost you everything. If you let it, the desire for more will drive you further from the life God has for you. It’s a slippery slope that leads to spiritual poverty, even if your bank account is full.
Teaching Contentment to the Next Generation
Parents and grandparents, this message is especially important for you. As you raise children, be mindful of how you talk about money and success. It’s easy to unintentionally send the message that success in life is tied to how much money they make or what kind of job they get. But what’s more important than teaching your kids how to make a living is teaching them how to live for Jesus.
Encourage your children to pursue their goals, but remind them that their worth isn’t tied to their wealth. The greatest inheritance you can give your children isn’t money—it’s the example of a life lived in contentment and faith.
How to Cultivate Contentment
So, how do we cultivate contentment in a world that constantly tells us we need more? Here are some practical steps:
The Blessing of True Contentment
Paul’s words to Timothy are a reminder that contentment is the greatest gain. When we learn to be content with what we have, we experience a deep sense of peace and freedom. Money and material things will never truly satisfy. Only Jesus can do that.
So today, ask yourself: What’s my relationship with money? Am I content with what God has provided, or am I constantly striving for more? Remember, the love of money may cost you more than you think—but contentment in Christ will cost you nothing.
Money—whether we like to admit it or not—has a huge influence on our lives. We spend much of our time working for it, saving it, and planning how to spend it. But the Bible gives us a stark warning about the dangers of loving money too much. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul reminds Timothy that the love of money, not money itself, is a root of all kinds of evil. It’s a sobering reminder that how we approach money can shape our lives in ways we don’t always see until it’s too late.
Addressing the False Gospel of Wealth
The context of 1 Timothy 6 is important. Paul is writing to Timothy, a young pastor, leading a large church in Ephesus—a church surrounded by a culture of wealth and indulgence. False teachers were creeping into the church, twisting the message of the Gospel to fit their own desires for material gain. It’s a situation not unlike what we see today with the prosperity gospel, where people are taught that if they give enough or tithe generously, they’ll receive financial blessings from God.
Paul’s advice to Timothy is straightforward: guard against this false doctrine and teach people the truth. Money isn’t the problem, but our love for it is. The prosperity gospel, even in modern times, can make it seem like wealth is the ultimate sign of God’s favor. But Paul is clear—our blessing is Jesus, not financial prosperity.
In 1 Timothy 6:6, Paul says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” In a world obsessed with accumulating more, Paul shifts the focus to godliness and contentment. True gain isn’t found in promotions, bigger houses, or fatter bank accounts. It’s found in living a life that is centered on Christ, free from the constant need for more.
The Truth About Contentment
What does contentment really look like? According to Paul, it’s simple. He says in 1 Timothy 6:8, “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” In other words, if our basic needs are met, we should be content. That’s a hard pill to swallow in a culture that constantly pushes us to desire more.
But why is contentment so important? Because discontentment drives us to seek fulfillment in things that can never truly satisfy. If we’re not content with what we have, we’ll always be chasing something more—whether it’s a better-paying job, a bigger house, or the latest gadget. That endless pursuit only leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction. And worse, it can lead us down dangerous paths where we compromise our values and relationships in pursuit of wealth.
The Dangers of Wanting More
In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul gives a serious warning: “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
The desire for more—whether it’s wealth, possessions, or status—leads to temptation. It’s not the money itself that’s evil, but the intense craving for it. Some people, in their pursuit of wealth, wander away from their faith. They become so consumed with the pursuit of money that they forget what really matters—God, family, relationships, and living a life that reflects Christ.
Paul isn’t talking hypothetically. We’ve all seen this play out in real life. Think about families that have been torn apart by inheritance disputes or friends who become enemies over money. It’s a painful reality that discontentment, fueled by the love of money, can destroy relationships and leave lasting scars.
Money Is Not the Problem—Our Heart Is
Let’s be clear: Money itself isn’t evil. It’s a tool that can be used for good. Many people work hard, earn money, and use it to bless others, support their families, and advance God’s Kingdom. There’s nothing wrong with earning money or setting financial goals. The problem arises when money becomes the goal, the thing we love and pursue above all else.
Paul’s teaching is clear: the issue isn’t how much or how little money you have. It’s your heart’s posture toward it. You don’t have to be wealthy to struggle with the love of money. Some of the greediest people are those who don’t have much but spend all their energy trying to get more. The problem is rooted in discontentment—the constant feeling that what you have isn’t enough, and that money is the answer to your problems.
Discontentment Will Cost You Everything
The truth is, discontentment comes with a heavy price. It doesn’t just cost you financially; it can cost you emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Think about it: How many marriages are strained because of financial stress? How many people feel emotionally drained because they’re constantly comparing themselves to others who have more? And how many have drifted away from God, thinking that once they reach a certain level of financial success, they’ll finally be content?
Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:24, “You cannot serve both God and money.” We have to choose. Contentment costs nothing, but discontentment can cost you everything. If you let it, the desire for more will drive you further from the life God has for you. It’s a slippery slope that leads to spiritual poverty, even if your bank account is full.
Teaching Contentment to the Next Generation
Parents and grandparents, this message is especially important for you. As you raise children, be mindful of how you talk about money and success. It’s easy to unintentionally send the message that success in life is tied to how much money they make or what kind of job they get. But what’s more important than teaching your kids how to make a living is teaching them how to live for Jesus.
Encourage your children to pursue their goals, but remind them that their worth isn’t tied to their wealth. The greatest inheritance you can give your children isn’t money—it’s the example of a life lived in contentment and faith.
How to Cultivate Contentment
So, how do we cultivate contentment in a world that constantly tells us we need more? Here are some practical steps:
- Gratitude: Start each day by thanking God for what you have. Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you’ve been blessed with.
- Simplify: Take inventory of your life. Are there areas where you’re overextending yourself in pursuit of more? Simplifying your lifestyle can bring peace and satisfaction.
- Generosity: One of the best ways to break free from the love of money is to give it away. When you’re generous with what you have, it loosens money’s grip on your heart.
- Trust in God: Remember that God is your provider. He knows your needs and will supply them according to His perfect timing.
The Blessing of True Contentment
Paul’s words to Timothy are a reminder that contentment is the greatest gain. When we learn to be content with what we have, we experience a deep sense of peace and freedom. Money and material things will never truly satisfy. Only Jesus can do that.
So today, ask yourself: What’s my relationship with money? Am I content with what God has provided, or am I constantly striving for more? Remember, the love of money may cost you more than you think—but contentment in Christ will cost you nothing.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chase Snyder
Pastor Chase is a Co-Pastor at FBC Loganville. He and his wife, Annie, and their two kids have been at FBC Loganville since 2017. His heart is to help people faithfully follow Jesus. Chase loves spending time with his family, being outdoors, drinking strong coffee, reading, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.
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Posted in Money, Contentment, Discontentment, God, Jesus, Blessings, disciple, Greed, Wealth, Love of Money