Finding Freedom: Contentment Over the Love of Money

Devotional

Day 1: The Love of Money vs. the Love of God

Paul warns that it is not money itself, but the love of money, that is a root of all kinds of evil. Money is a morally neutral tool, but when our hearts become attached to it, we risk distorting our values and priorities. The difference between “money is the root of all evil” and “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” is crucial: it’s our relationship with money that matters, not the possession of it. We are called to examine whether we are pursuing riches or pursuing righteousness, faith, and generosity, and to ensure that our hearts are not owned by what we own. [02:41]

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV)
"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."

Reflection: In what ways have you noticed your heart becoming attached to money or possessions, and how might you begin to shift your focus toward pursuing righteousness and generosity instead?

Day 2: Godliness Plus Contentment Equals Great Gain

True spiritual gain is found not in accumulating more, but in combining godliness with contentment. Contentment is not about having everything we want, but about trusting God to provide what we need each day—our daily bread. When we focus on the simple gifts of food, clothing, and relationships, we find a deeper satisfaction that money cannot buy. This perspective frees us from the endless pursuit of more and anchors us in gratitude for what we already have. [09:31]

Matthew 6:11 (ESV)
"Give us this day our daily bread."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can practice contentment today by trusting God for your daily needs rather than striving for more?

Day 3: Warning Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship with Money

There are clear warning signs that reveal when money has become more than just a tool in our lives: when it becomes our security instead of God, when we pursue riches over relationships, or when we compromise our values for financial gain. These are signals that our priorities may be out of alignment. The question is not how much we have, but how much what we have owns us. By honestly assessing these warning signs, we can begin to reclaim freedom and realign our hearts with God’s purposes. [08:07]

Proverbs 11:28 (ESV)
"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf."

Reflection: Is there a specific way you have been tempted to compromise your values or relationships for financial gain, and how can you take a step to reverse that today?

Day 4: A Society That Values Human Flourishing Over Wealth

A healthy society is not measured solely by financial metrics like GDP or the stock market, but by how well it promotes human flourishing, dignity, and love. When money becomes the ultimate measure of worth, we lose sight of what truly matters—caring for one another, sharing generously, and seeking justice. The call is to ask not just what is profitable, but what is loving and what promotes the well-being of all people. [14:19]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can use your resources this week to promote human flourishing or meet a need in your community?

Day 5: Declaring Independence from the Tyranny of More

Freedom is not found in accumulating more, but in being released from the anxiety and restlessness that comes from always wanting more. The antidote to the tyranny of more is not poverty, but perspective—a heart that is free from being owned by possessions and is open to generosity, peace, and love. Today, you are invited to declare independence from the endless chase for more and to seek the true freedom that comes from a heart anchored in God. [17:36]

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Reflection: What is one area where you feel the pressure to have “more,” and how can you intentionally declare independence from that pressure by embracing God’s perspective today?

Sermon Summary

It’s easy to misquote scripture, especially when it comes to money. Many have heard the phrase, “Money is the root of all evil,” but that’s not what Paul wrote to Timothy. The real issue is not money itself, but our relationship with it. Money is a tool—morally neutral—but the love of money, and the way it can take hold of our hearts, is what leads to all kinds of evil. Paul’s wisdom to Timothy is clear: godliness plus contentment equals great gain. This is the equation for a spiritually healthy life, and it stands in stark contrast to the endless pursuit of more.

We live in a culture obsessed with accumulation, where our sense of security and self-worth can become tied to our bank accounts, possessions, and financial goals. Yet, when we look back at the end of our lives, it’s not the things we own or the money we’ve made that matter most. It’s the relationships we’ve nurtured, the experiences we’ve embraced, and the love we’ve shared. The warning signs of an unhealthy relationship with money are subtle but real: when money becomes our security instead of God, when we prioritize wealth over relationships, or when we compromise our values for financial gain.

Scripture is full of examples of wealthy people who were faithful—Abraham, Job, Lydia—but their wealth was never the point. What mattered was their priorities and their willingness to use what they had for God’s purposes. The challenge is not to feel guilty about having resources, but to ensure that our resources don’t own us. Contentment is found in trusting God for our daily bread, not in stockpiling for every possible future.

As a society, we often measure success by economic metrics alone, but a truly healthy community asks deeper questions: How can we share better? What promotes human flourishing? When money becomes the ultimate measure of worth, we lose sight of human dignity and the values that matter most. The antidote to the tyranny of more is not poverty, but perspective—a freedom that comes from godliness and contentment. This Independence Day, let’s declare independence from the endless chase for more, and seek hearts that are truly free.

Key Takeaways

1. The true danger is not money itself, but the love of money and the way it can distort our priorities. Money is a morally neutral tool, but when it becomes the object of our affection or the source of our security, it can lead us away from God and from what truly matters. The heart’s orientation toward money is what determines whether it serves us or enslaves us. [02:41]
2. Godliness plus contentment is the equation for great gain. This means that spiritual health is not measured by what we accumulate, but by our character and our ability to be satisfied with what God provides. Contentment is a daily trust in God’s provision, not an anxious striving for more. [09:31]
3. Our culture’s obsession with financial metrics—GDP, stock market, personal wealth—can blind us to the deeper measures of a good life and a healthy society. When we only value what can be counted, we risk neglecting justice, compassion, and human flourishing. True societal health is found in how we care for one another, not just in economic growth. [13:25]
4. Wealth in itself is not a sign of God’s favor or a cause for guilt; what matters is how we steward what we have. The question is not how much we possess, but how much our possessions possess us. Generosity and right priorities free us from the anxiety and emptiness of chasing more. [11:34]
5. The antidote to the tyranny of more is not to reject money, but to change our perspective and relationship with it. Freedom comes when we are no longer defined by what we own, but by who we are in Christ and how we love others. Declaring independence from the endless pursuit of more opens us to peace, generosity, and true joy. [17:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - Misquoting Scripture: What Did Paul Really Say?
[02:41] - The Love of Money vs. Money Itself
[04:38] - Two Pursuits: Riches or Righteousness
[05:37] - Money and Modern Obsessions
[06:57] - The Rearview Mirror Test: What Really Matters
[08:07] - Warning Signs of Unhealthy Attachment
[09:31] - Godliness Plus Contentment
[10:43] - When Possessions Own Us
[11:34] - Wealth, Guilt, and Stewardship
[13:25] - Societal Metrics and True Health
[14:19] - Asking Better Questions as a Society
[14:57] - Capitalism as Civil Religion
[15:35] - Money’s Proper Purpose
[16:30] - The Freedom of Contentment
[17:36] - Declaring Independence from the Tyranny of More

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (ESV) — 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.

Observation Questions

According to Paul in 1 Timothy 6, what is the “equation” for great gain in life? [02:41]
What are the three differences between the common saying “money is the root of all evil” and what Paul actually wrote? [02:41]
In the sermon, what are some warning signs of an unhealthy relationship with money? [08:07]
What examples from Scripture did the pastor give of wealthy people who were faithful to God? [05:37]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul focus on the “love of money” rather than money itself as the source of problems? How does this distinction affect the way we view wealth? [02:41]
The sermon mentions that money is a “morally neutral tool.” What does it mean for something to be morally neutral, and how does that shape our responsibility in using it? [02:41]
The pastor described a “rearview mirror test” for what matters at the end of life. Why do you think relationships and experiences, rather than possessions, come up as most important in these moments? [06:57]
How does our culture’s focus on financial metrics (like GDP, stock market, personal wealth) shape our understanding of what a “good life” is? [13:25]

Application Questions

The sermon gave warning signs of an unhealthy relationship with money, such as finding security in money instead of God, prioritizing wealth over relationships, or compromising values for financial gain. Which of these, if any, do you see in your own life? What would it look like to address them? [08:07]
The “equation” Paul gives is godliness plus contentment equals great gain. What is one area of your life where you struggle with contentment? What practical step could you take this week to trust God for your “daily bread” in that area? [09:31]
The pastor shared a story about someone realizing their possessions actually “owned” them. Is there something you own (a possession, a goal, a habit) that feels like it owns you? What would it look like to loosen its grip? [10:43]
When you think about your financial goals or dreams, do they help you love God and others more, or do they distract you from what matters most? How can you realign your goals to reflect godliness and contentment? [04:38]
The sermon challenged us to ask, “How can we share better?” instead of “How can we make more?” What is one way you could share your resources, time, or talents this month to promote human flourishing? [14:19]
The pastor said, “The antidote is not poverty, but perspective.” What would it look like for you to change your perspective on money and possessions this week? [17:36]
This Independence Day, the challenge was to “declare independence from the tyranny of more.” What is one practical way you can do that in your daily life? [17:36]

Sermon Clips

Sometimes when we approach scripture, we're like that economist. We read into the scriptures what we want to read into the scriptures. We're all guilty of this. There's not a single person who's ever read the Bible who hasn't done this. We read out of scripture what we want to read out of scripture. [00:01:25]

Paul is not saying that money is evil. Money is just a tool. It's neutrally, it's morally neutral money. It's a tool. The problem comes with our relationship with this tool. [00:03:13]

It's not about money. It's at the very beginning of our reading. Godliness plus contentment equals great gain. We're going to come back to that. But that's Paul's equation for a healthy spiritual life. Godliness plus contentment equals great gain. [00:03:37]

The problem comes when we have an unhealthy relationship with this tool. And that can happen for us as individuals. And so we're going to talk about what that might look like in our personal lives. And how we can kind of get a healthier relationship with this tool called money. [00:04:01]

Paul says that there are kind of two types of people in this scripture. As he's writing to Timothy, he says there are two types of people. He says first there are those who pursue riches. And then there are those who pursue righteousness, faith, godliness, generosity. All these virtues that we always talk about in the church. [00:04:26]

He's reminding Timothy that money is a tool. It's just a tool. And yet we get so caught up in it. [00:05:08]

Our phones are useful servants, and they are terrible masters. Same is true with money. [00:06:03]

Now Paul's not saying to Timothy, it's bad to be rich. Don't hear me say that. Don't give me some false dichotomy. There are plenty of people in Scripture who were quite wealthy. Abraham was one of the first we read about who became quite wealthy. Then Job was the richest person in his region. Into the New Testament, there was a woman named Lydia who was a very successful businesswoman. And it's believed that she completely bankrolled Paul's missionary journeys. There are many more examples of wealthy people in Scripture. God didn't call these individuals into poverty. But God did call them in to having the proper priorities. [00:06:13]

When it comes to the end of your life, what is going to matter? People say that work with people who are dying. That it's not, when people talk about the regrets, it's never, I wish I would have worked more hours. Or I wish I would have bought a bigger house. I wish I would have had more cars. What is it that people regret when they come to the end of their life? I wish I'd had a stronger relationship with this loved one. I wish I would have repaired this relationship. [00:07:06]

I've got a friend who was a hospice chaplain for many years. And she says that one of the things she heard most often in her chaplaincy with dying patients was they wish they would have gone for that experience, that they wish they would have experienced the thing that was always right before them, that they never did. [00:07:37]

It never has to do with money. It never has to do with material goods. It's always immaterial, loving relationships, profound experiences. That's the kind of thing that we're going to regret, hopefully not, when we get to the end of our lives. [00:07:54]

I feel like most of us, I shouldn't say most, many of us, instead of looking at the rearview mirror, we're looking through the windshield. We're looking at our financial goals, or that next big purchase that we're going to make, or having enough in our bank accounts that we feel secure, but we're never quite there. We just need a little more, and then we'll feel secure. If I just get to this metric, then we'll feel more secure. [00:08:14]

If money is your security instead of God, that's a warning sign. If you're pursuing riches over relationships, that's a warning sign. If you're compromising your values to gain a buck, that is a warning sign. Again, it's not about this tool. The tool itself, morally neutral. It's our relationship with this tool. [00:08:53]

Godliness plus contentment equals great gain. So what does contentment look like? We pray about it every single Sunday. You remember every time we say, give us this day our daily bread. Not bread for tomorrow. Not bread for next week. Not bread for 10 years down the line when we might need some bread. Give us this day our daily bread. That's contentment. [00:09:43]

If we have food and if we have clothing, that is contentment enough. That's all we need. Just these very simple, basic necessities. [00:10:18]

He said, I look at all these things and I've always thought that I owned all these things and it turns out all these things own me. So the question with that, it's not how much I have, but how much does what I have own me? [00:11:19]

God uses people as God did in scripture, like Lydia bankrolling Paul's missionary journeys. It's not a false equivalency, but Paul was telling Timothy to fight the good fight. Fight the fight against materialism. Fight the fight that puts the dollar, and he wouldn't say dollar because they didn't have dollars in first century Palestine, but don't let the almighty dollar control you, own you. [00:12:13]

If these were the only metrics, it would be like going to the doctor and stepping on the scale and that being the only thing that the doctor checks, right? No blood pressure check, no labs, just what's the scale doing today? That's all we need to know. And when we measure our nation's health by financial health only, we're missing many things, many, many things that contribute to the overall health of a society. [00:13:11]

A biblical economic system that reflects biblical values should serve human dignity and not replace it. And when money becomes the ultimate measure of a person's worth, we've lost our way as a society. [00:15:26]

So the question we should be asking as a society isn't, should we eliminate money? I'm not sure how we would do that exactly. The question we should be asking is this, how do we ensure that money serves its proper purpose? Facilitating human flourishing rather than replacing human values. [00:15:52]

What is that gain exactly? That gain looks like this, freedom from the anxiety of chasing more. You know people who are always chasing more, right? What kind of anxiety does that produce in us when we're always chasing more? We get freedom from that when godliness plus contentment is our equation. We get peace from worrying about all the things that can consume us as consumers. [00:16:26]

So money isn't the root of all evil, but money can root out all good things in our life. The antidote is not poverty, but perspective. The antidote, I'm going to say it again, is not poverty, but perspective, changing our relationship with money. [00:17:20]

And so this Independence Day weekend, what if we declared independence from the tyranny of more? What do you think about that? Say it with me. I declare independence from the tyranny of more. Ready? I declare independence from the tyranny of more. [00:17:43]

The question isn't, is money evil? The question is this. Are our hearts free? Is your heart free? [00:18:04]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the true meaning of contentment?

How does love of money influence personal priorities?

In what ways can society promote human flourishing?