1 Timothy 6:6-19, September 25-October 1, Year C:

This passage is primarily a warning against a wrong attitude toward riches. As is often pointed out, Paul does not say here that money is the root of all evil. Rather, it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. The desire to grow rich can easily lead people into temptation, causing them to make decisions for primarily materialistic rather than spiritual reasons. As a pastor, Paul tells Timothy to be content with godliness, only having the necessities of life. He should shun the lust for money that is so common among men. This suggests many questions which are relevant in today's church climate. I have known pastors who only desired a salary which would give them the least possible amount they could live on. I understand somewhat, from a spiritual standpoint, why these pastors might feel this way; but it seems to me to be misguided. In fact, it could be a matter of spiritual pride for a pastor to claim that he has voluntarily been willing to accept a low salary. This would be especially wrong-headed in a church where most of the members are relatively affluent and the church can afford to pay a good salary and still maintain a vigorous missions ministry of outreach and evangelism. On the other hand, should judicatories require that local churches pay a certain minimum salary to pastors, or does this make the local presbytery seem too much like a labor union for ministers? And for those in our congregations who are not ministers, does this mean that they should never seek to put themselves in a position to earn more money for fear of seeming ungodly or too materialistic? Clearly, such extreme interpretations of this passage are too legalistic and are unnecessary. The issue here is one of attitude. Our decisions should not be driven primarily by a desire for riches. If opportunities come to the Christian for financial advance, it is not wrong for us to take advantage of these; but the desire for money should not be the driving force of our lives. In addition, those who employ Christians, whether in the secular or spiritual realm, should not take advantage of our humility in order to pay the bare minimum allowable. If a Christian desires to return a goodly proportion of his wealth to the work of the Lord--whether pastor or businessman--he can certainly do that; but churches must still practice sound stewardship principles in their administrative decisions. A final question is the matter of contentment. Paul urges Timothy to be content with food and raiment. (1 Timothy 6:8.) Today, Paul would certainly say that the pastor and other Christians are permitted to have whatever is necessary to do that work to which they are called. So long as we are seeking first the kingdom of God and are truly grateful to Him for those blessings we are given, I think gratitude is a far healthier response to God's bounty than guilt. John Calvin said that we are given the blessings of prosperity that we may better perform the duties of charity. If we can honestly maintain this balance, I think we are being faithful to Paul's words to Timothy. It is a fine line; but it is, as with so many things in the Christian life, a matter of degree, balance, attitude, and integrity of motivation.