14 day plan

The Gospel Centred Leadership

Day 10 of 14

NIV

1 Timothy 6:10

10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Reflection: Love of Money

Judas Iscariot was infamously known for his love of money.  But do you know that it’s his lust for mammon that led him to a garden variety of sins including lying, collusion, betrayal and despair?

First, he lied. He lodged a complaint with Jesus over the use of very expensive ointment, worth roughly one year’s wages, which he argued should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But such a theologically sound and politically correct argument can flow from a twisted motive. We are told that Judas didn’t actually care about the poor, but was a thief, and as keeper of the money bag, used to help himself to it (John 12:4-6).

Second, Judas colluded with the religious leaders to capture Jesus. He was turned because of his love of mammon. Third, he betrayed Jesus to gain blood money and sealed it with a kiss on the cheek to mark Jesus in front of the Roman soldiers. Fourth, rather than repenting of his sins like Simon Peter and going to his Lord, Judas was filled by despair and took his own life.

The story of Judas is a sober reminder to every Christian leader that our intensive service in God’s work and even proximity to God are not reliable indicators of faith in God himself. Three years of up close and personal encounter with Jesus meant that he had the finest teaching and most solid evidence he ever needed to follow the greatest leader alive. Yet his heart was so inextricably entangled with craving for money.

We might be well and truly immersed in God’s work, but are we truly serving him or Mammon?

Prayer:  Father, none of us wants to be remembered as a greedy Christian yet, like Judas, that’s how we often secretly live their lives. Help me to live and serve you daily not out of love for money, but love of Jesus.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
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4
5
6
7
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10
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12
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14

1 Timothy 6:1-21

1All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

False Teachers and the Love of Money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Final Charge to Timothy

11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

Grace be with you all.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.