THE LOVE OF MONEY: I Timothy 3:3

My mom had a little plaque once with a picture of a monkey. The caption read, "I've been richer, and I've been poorer. Richer is better." There is a difference between enjoying what you can do with money, including giving, and just plain loving money. 

"not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." I Timothy 3:3

Paul has been comparing the traits of a godly man who is controlled by the Holy Spirit with the traits of an ungodly man who is controlled by his desires, including the love of money. 

Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us, "Whoever love money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income." The love of money, is when you seek to find satisfaction and fulfillment in having it. That will never happen. Only God can satisfy our souls.

Jesus taught his disciples (and therefore us), "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Matthew 6:24). Jesus spoke those words while teaching about trusting him to take care of our needs. So, the idea is whether you will trust in money or God to take care of you. Trust God. 

Paul was teaching young Timothy what to look for in a church leader. We are looking at these traits as the traits of a good household, family leader too. Now we have the love of money.  This trait of being a lover of money follows a description of someone controlled by alcohol, violence and the need to quarrel. Why is the love of money harmful to a church, a marriage and a family? Because the person who loves money will put the need to have more money before the needs of their family. They will pursue "opportunities" to make more money more than they will pursue opportunities to love their spouses and children. 

A word of caution. We do need money to pay our bills. Sometimes we will work extra to provide extra or more for our families. You must know when you are no longer providing a better life with your family or just seeking more money. 

A pastor of mine once said, "Prosperity is having a little more than you need." May God grant you provision and prosperity for your family. 

Father, help us to love and serve you with the money you provide. Praise be to you in us today!

THE NOBLE TASK OF SERVICE: I Timothy 3:1

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task." I Timothy 3:1

If you desire to serve God. That's a good thing. Don't let anyone discourage you. Just remember, it's service. It's about doing what needs to be done, whether anyone knows or sees. 

Some churches call this being a Bishop or an Elder. It is someone who is deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of those around them. Frankly, what I have seen is that people who seek this place of service just do it then are sort of recognized and given more direct responsibility and opportunities to serve. 

If you desire to serve. Serve. Find a way, find a place and serve. 

Just one little word about dealing with some people who might not be exactly encouraging. I have encountered some people in leadership who like to sort of be Holy Spirit helpers. Sometimes they set up hoops for possible leaders to jump threw. They like to put timetables and offer "suggestions" of possible service opportunities to prove yourself. Then there are others who like to emphasize their experience as the prescribed path to leadership. My personal favorite is the "I wasn't even thinking about being a leader" so, therefore if anyone else is thinking about it then they must not really be humble enough to be considered as a leader. 

My advice: Do your best to serve in a Christlike manner. The apostle Paul says desiring to serve is a noble task. 

Father, help us to serve you. Be glorified in our attempts to serve you faithfully. Praise be to you in us today!