“and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:5–10, ESV)
It seems that those who had strayed from the truth of scripture began to see opportunities to profit through their departure from sound teaching. Greed was a motive, and these men desired to be rich. They saw this teaching as a means to obtain money from unsuspecting people within the church at Ephesus. Paul addresses their greed directly and reminds Timothy how Kingdom riches are measured. Paul tells Timothy that value must be measured by more than money. Contentment and godliness are of great value even if those riches are not material in nature. Satisfaction and contentment intros life can only be found in Jesus. We have confused necessities and wants and materialism has gripped many souls. The follower of Jesus is not to be driven by the desire to accumulate wealth through money and possessions. We belong to Jesus, and all that we have is his.
The desire to acquire wealth is dangerous, and it presents people with many temptations. It may seem harmless, but it is a snare and a trap that will plunge people into ruin and destruction. The money monster is never satisfied. It always needs more. Money is not evil in itself, but the love of it is the genesis of all kinds of evil. Its insatiable desire for more has caused many to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many pangs. Be godly. Be content. These things are priceless, and there is great gain in them for this life and the next.