Love, money and enjoyment

NORSK
Not all combinations of words in today's title will turn out to be good. The "Love of Money" is not a good trait. According to Paul, it is the "root of all kinds of evil" (1), and he gave the following call to Timothy:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17

I am very happy for this verse because it shows that it is OK to enjoy. Renunciation and self-denial are parts of a disciple's life, and Paul taught Timothy about such matters too. It may seem like a contradiction to the statement that ‘God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment’, but it belongs in the same package. I become a steward of all God has given me, and the joy of being able to share becomes part of the enjoyment.

A good friend, who is now with the Lord, had little money to spend. But one day he unexpectedly received a larger amount. I do not think he spent a penny on himself, but he enjoyed being able to share with them he had wanted to share with all of his life. However, he had done nothing wrong if he had spent the money on himself, but he used the freedom to choose what he wanted most.

The point is that all that God provides us with, should be enjoyed, but the important question is who or what controls my life. Money and pleasure can be used for something good and empowering, but detached from the love of God they can cause much evil.

‘Manna’ for today:

Everything can be tested on love

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(1) 1 Tim 6:10