Embracing our neediness
by Annie Duarte
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains (1 Timothy 6:10).
Read 1 Timothy 6:1–10
As I have grown and dealt more with money and people (and drawn closer to the Lord), I have been able to process this verse a bit more. Truly, the emphasis must be placed on ‘the love of’ money, not the money itself. Money is a tool – and I have many times been blessed by the outrageous generosity and wise stewardship of others. But the love of money is dangerous. Eagerness to be rich – not with the intention of blessing others, but for personal gain – communicates a desire for power and control. Often, the power and control that comes with lots of money are beyond what we can faithfully manage. Instead of the beautiful, vulnerable neediness for God and community, we begin to take matters into our own hands. We no longer need heaven because, in our minds, we have made our own heaven here on earth. We don’t need God to provide because we perceive we have provided for ourselves. The lines of communication between us and the Lord break down as we subconsciously ‘outgrow’ our need for him.
The interesting thing about Jesus is that he never outgrew his need for his Father. Jesus could have had all the money in the Roman Empire if he had wanted to command it. All the power and control that we strive for through financial means is rightfully Christ’s. Still, he kept a close prayerful relationship with his Heavenly Father, only doing what his Father did and saying what he heard his Father say. Again, Jesus models a perfect life for us. He resisted the temptation to love the money, power, control and possessions that could have easily been his – and he opted for the better thing, a close and vulnerable relationship with God the Father. If Jesus very intentionally chose a life free from the love of money, then we know that this is what God wants for us. If the Son of God embraced his need for the Father, it should be our joy and our delight to serve him, not money.
Heavenly Father, you have blessed me with so much. Whether I have plenty or am in need, let me never exchange my love for you for the pursuit of riches and love of money. Grant me wisdom in stewarding what you have given me in this life – that all my wealth would be used for your glory. Amen.
Annie Duarte is a wife, mum, worship leader and preschool Bible teacher. She and her husband serve in ministry together in the United States. Annie loves seeing God’s word come alive to people of all ages.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
