“But 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” ( 1 Timothy 6:9 9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. ).

The sin of loving money is also dangerous because of its harmful effects.

The sanctioning of new state lotteries over the past twenty years, officially done to “enhance revenues” and create new jobs, not only sustains many persons’ addiction to gambling but also draws many others into a willingness to spend money they don’t have. It illustrates how greed results in sinful entrapment for many people.

Scripture warns against becoming entrapped by material things: “The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 7:25).

In the first part of 1 Timothy 6:9 9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. , Paul’s wording indicates a premeditated, settled desire for money. By their consuming drive and passion for more, the greedy are continually caught like animals in a trap. Their sinful love of money ends up controlling their lives and making them the unhappy victims of their own evil lusts.

The all-consuming pursuit of riches will ultimately ruin someone’s spiritual life. In the conclusion of today’s verse, Paul presents the image of one’s entire person (body and soul) being destroyed. That’s what, if left unchecked, a preoccupation with acquiring more and more money will do to us.

God’s Word contains vivid examples of those devastated by money-love. Because Achan disobediently hid some wealth, Israel lost a battle, and Achan and his family were killed (Josh. 7:1-26). Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and ended up committing suicide (Matt. 27:3-5). Ananias and Sapphira did not give the Lord the entire proceeds from the sale of their property and were struck dead for lying ( Acts 5:1-11 Chapter 5 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 and kept back `part' of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back `part' of the price of the land? 4 While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 But Peter `said' unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. 10 And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things. ).

If you are at all tempted to discount greed’s harmful effects or to rely on money for security, consider the prophet’s sobering assertion: “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the Lord’s wrath” (Zeph. 1:18).

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray that all your friends and family, believers and unbelievers, would understand and avoid the bad effects of loving money.

For Further Study

Read James 5:1-5 Chapter 5 1 Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver are rusted; and their rust shall be for a testimony against you, and shall eat your flesh as fire. Ye have laid up your treasure in the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the laborers who mowed your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth out: and the cries of them that reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure; ye have nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter. .

• When will the full consequences of greed become evident?
• How do James’s words compare to the rebukes Jesus issued against the Pharisees?

From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.

• Download our app The Study Bible!
• John MacArthur’s complete sermon archive
• The MacArthur Study Bible
• The complete MacArthur New Testament Commentary series