“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” – 1 Timothy 6:9(KJV).
The above scriptures is not saying that to be rich is a sin. But coveting riches, which is the greedy pursuit of riches, has the potential of making a child of God derail. The bible did not also say that having money is a sin but it is the love of it that is the root of all evil. “For the love of money is the route of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”- 1 Timothy 6: 10(KJV). This statement is incontestable. The love of money has made money an idol to many even among Christians. Whatever comes first before God in your life is an idol and such individual is an idolater. Pursuit of riches in a manner that is excessive is driven by greed and lust for power. From our scripture quote above, we can deduce some dangers associated with coveting riches:-
It brings about many temptation from the devil.
People are ensnared and fall into many foolish and hurtful lusts.
It leads to destruction and perdition.
It is the root of all evil.
Many erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many arrows.
Riches are considered the cause of much sin and rebellion against God. Most deadly disputes between people is associated with the inordinate pursuit for riches. Many have been killed and maimed due to covetous pursuit of riches. Most times behind the excessive pursuit of riches is greed and self-centeredness. It has led men into worshipping of the god of money. Many young men have mortgaged their life in this deadly pursuit. Some have sold their hearts to the devil in exchange for riches. They have relegated God to the background and exalted the god of money.
This is one area a Christian should watch very carefully because most times it is easy to cross the line without knowing. It takes the fear of God to live above the lure of riches which Paul meant by “piercing themselves through with many arrows”. Many have been bruised, fatally wounded and lost their faith in the pursuit of riches. For a Christian, the bible says “But godliness with contentment is great gain” -1 Timothy 6: 6(KJV). Actually all these pursuits are vain and ridiculous. They seem to be an illusion considering how we came into this world and how we depart from it. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out”. – 1 Timothy 6: 7(KJV).
To save us from the dangers of coveting riches God said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. This is God’s laid out plan for increase and riches. All the riches humanity is pursuing are the property of the most High God. For the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). Going after riches the human way is perilous and ladened with scorpions, snakes and dangerous beast. For my reader I advise that you follow God’s way. The knowledge of God gives you command over the evil traps of sin and terrible temptations.
Prayer: Father I seek your sanctification and consecration for effective Christian living.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo