Based on the sermon:

The Love of Money: Examining Our Hearts

In our modern world of consumerism and financial pursuits, we often find ourselves caught in the tension between material desires and spiritual fulfillment. The Bible offers profound wisdom on this subject, particularly in 1 Timothy 6:7-10, which warns us that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.”

The Test: Do You Love Money?

Before dismissing this as someone else’s problem, let’s take an honest self-assessment. The love of money has nothing to do with how much you possess—some wealthy people don’t love money, while some with little do. Consider these revealing questions:

1. Do you find yourself thinking about money much of the time?
2. Do you worry about money frequently?
3. Do you never seem to have enough, always wanting more?
4. Does it pain you to give money away to charitable causes?
5. Have you ever sinned to get money—cheated on taxes, lied on expense reports, or worse?
6. Do you believe having more money would make you significantly happier?

If you answered yes to several of these questions, perhaps it’s time to examine your relationship with money more carefully.

Four Truths About Our Relationship with Money

1. It’s Easy to Fall in Love with Money

We all need money to live—for food, shelter, and basic necessities. Jesus spoke frequently about money, with nearly half of His parables addressing wealth and possessions. This practical relevance makes money a natural focus in our lives.

The apostle Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:1-2 that in the last days, people would be “lovers of self” and “lovers of money.” When we prioritize ourselves, loving money becomes a natural extension of self-love, as money becomes the tool to pamper and please ourselves.

Like a mirror coated with silver that reflects only our own image, the love of money blocks out everything else, narrowing our vision to self-interest alone.

2. It’s Foolish to Fall in Love with Money

As 1 Timothy 6:7 reminds us: “We have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” Money is temporary. As Proverbs notes, “When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.”

Jesus called the rich farmer who built bigger barns a “fool” because he stored up treasures for himself but wasn’t rich toward God. That very night, his soul was required of him, rendering his accumulated wealth meaningless.

Solomon, who possessed extraordinary wealth, concluded: “Those who love money will never be satisfied with the money they have… this is also senseless.” Attempting to satisfy spiritual longings with material wealth is like drinking saltwater to quench thirst—it only increases the craving while slowly destroying us.

3. It’s Devastating to Fall in Love with Money

The Scripture warns that those who want to get rich “fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” The love of money puts us on the wrong path, forcing us to choose between two directions that cannot be reconciled.

Jesus said plainly, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” Many have wandered from faith and “pierced themselves with many griefs” in pursuit of wealth.

Consider Judas Iscariot, who witnessed Jesus’ miracles and teachings firsthand, yet traded the Prince of Glory for thirty pieces of silver. How tragic to exchange an eternal relationship with God for temporary financial gain.

4. You Don’t Have to Be a Casualty of the Love of Money

Despite these warnings, we can develop a healthy relationship with money by:

• Learning contentment: Finding peace regardless of circumstances, remembering God’s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• Making money your servant, not your master: Using money as a tool without being controlled by it.

Investing in eternal purposes: As Jesus taught, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Only three things last forever: God, His Word, and people.