1 Timothy 6:⁶ Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; ⁸ but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. ⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ 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.

V.10 jumped out at me today. Money isn’t evil, but the love of money is “a root of all kinds of evil”. What is the love of money? The Greek word we translate as “love of money” is “φιλαργυρία (philarguria)” which might also be translated as “extreme greed”. In other words, Paul isn’t talking about garden variety appreciation for nice things. I like nice things. You probably do too. The Greek word indicates a desire for material things that surpasses one’s love for God. In essence, it’s making a god out of material wealth.

I don’t think I make gods out of things, but maybe I do. Something I need to think more about.