More on How 1 Timothy Chapter 6 Can Be Applied to Our Work
You may have heard or read this: "Money is the root of all evil." It's not true. If it were true, we who work for a living would face a rather serious dilemma, since most of us work for money, right?
You may have a job that's "fulfilling" - or not. You may be on track to make partner - or not. Maybe you have someone who looks out for you - a "rabbi" (Do people still use that term?) - directing and guiding you as you aspire to the "C-Suite" - or not. Perhaps your small business just broke through its all-time revenue goal - or not. Whatever your circumstances at work, whatever our level of success - or lack thereof - money unites us all as a fundamental reason to work. We've all got to earn a living.
It's simple: We need money. So if you're thinking "Money is the root of all evil," it can be disconcerting.
1 Timothy Chapter 6 sets the record straight. I don't know if "Money is the root of all evil" finds its source in St. Paul's words, or if it comes from a different source. Whatever the case may be, here's what St. Paul actually said.
"...For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some conveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows."
The key words here: desire and coveting.
It's one thing to expect reasonable compensation for your efforts on the job. And - setting aside fringe benefits that companies offer - the main source of compensation we all receive is money. It's quite another to actively, even obsessively, have a desire for money - however you might acquire it.
This desire for money can extend beyond being compensated for your work. It can and does lead people to cheat, lie, steal, gamble, etc. If money's the sole object of your desire, you could - or do - have a problem.
"Coveting" - the yearning for something - kicks desire up another notch. Have you ever yearned for money? Sometimes maybe yes, sometimes maybe no? To desire is to want. To yearn is to have a strong desire for something. Frankly, we should avoid coveting anything. Think of the the Commandments: Thou shalt not covet another man's goods. Thou shalt not covet another man's wife.
Desire can get you into trouble. Coveting can get you into a lot of trouble.
So go ahead and work for money. Just don't let desiring it or coveting it lead you astray.
The Psalm takes this a step further. We'll consider these in our next post. They include specific virtues with which we should already be familiar, but which we may not have consciously or conscientiously exercised throughout the work day.
For today, though, let's just summarize and re-emphasize this distinction between money and "the desire for money."
Unless we're independently wealthy, of the main benefits we derive from our work, money likely plays a central - if not the central - role. We may work longer hours to get more of it. We may augment our skill set to make ourselves more valuable to our employers in order to deserve more of it. If we're business owners, we may actively and intelligently market our products and services in order to grow our revenues, in order to ultimately be able to take more money out of the business for our personal needs.
But, while we increase our ability to earn it, let's always remember to keep money in its place. We do this by keeping an inordinate desire for, or coveting of money, at a distance. If you cultivate the habit of being content with the money you make, even as you strive to make more, it may help to quell this desire and covetousness.
In the end, if we have our priorities in order, beginning with our love of God and the determination to work first for His greater glory, that will help us keep money in proper perspective.
You may have a job that's "fulfilling" - or not. You may be on track to make partner - or not. Maybe you have someone who looks out for you - a "rabbi" (Do people still use that term?) - directing and guiding you as you aspire to the "C-Suite" - or not. Perhaps your small business just broke through its all-time revenue goal - or not. Whatever your circumstances at work, whatever our level of success - or lack thereof - money unites us all as a fundamental reason to work. We've all got to earn a living.
It's simple: We need money. So if you're thinking "Money is the root of all evil," it can be disconcerting.
1 Timothy Chapter 6 sets the record straight. I don't know if "Money is the root of all evil" finds its source in St. Paul's words, or if it comes from a different source. Whatever the case may be, here's what St. Paul actually said.
"...For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some conveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows."
The key words here: desire and coveting.
It's one thing to expect reasonable compensation for your efforts on the job. And - setting aside fringe benefits that companies offer - the main source of compensation we all receive is money. It's quite another to actively, even obsessively, have a desire for money - however you might acquire it.
This desire for money can extend beyond being compensated for your work. It can and does lead people to cheat, lie, steal, gamble, etc. If money's the sole object of your desire, you could - or do - have a problem.
"Coveting" - the yearning for something - kicks desire up another notch. Have you ever yearned for money? Sometimes maybe yes, sometimes maybe no? To desire is to want. To yearn is to have a strong desire for something. Frankly, we should avoid coveting anything. Think of the the Commandments: Thou shalt not covet another man's goods. Thou shalt not covet another man's wife.
Desire can get you into trouble. Coveting can get you into a lot of trouble.
So go ahead and work for money. Just don't let desiring it or coveting it lead you astray.
The Psalm takes this a step further. We'll consider these in our next post. They include specific virtues with which we should already be familiar, but which we may not have consciously or conscientiously exercised throughout the work day.
For today, though, let's just summarize and re-emphasize this distinction between money and "the desire for money."
Unless we're independently wealthy, of the main benefits we derive from our work, money likely plays a central - if not the central - role. We may work longer hours to get more of it. We may augment our skill set to make ourselves more valuable to our employers in order to deserve more of it. If we're business owners, we may actively and intelligently market our products and services in order to grow our revenues, in order to ultimately be able to take more money out of the business for our personal needs.
But, while we increase our ability to earn it, let's always remember to keep money in its place. We do this by keeping an inordinate desire for, or coveting of money, at a distance. If you cultivate the habit of being content with the money you make, even as you strive to make more, it may help to quell this desire and covetousness.
In the end, if we have our priorities in order, beginning with our love of God and the determination to work first for His greater glory, that will help us keep money in proper perspective.
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