A Foundation in the Gospel
Friday’s Verse:
From 1 Timothy 6:10 ESV
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Yesterday’s sports headlines were shocking. “Feds Probe NBA for Gambling and Rigged Games.” The Justice Department announced a “massive investigation into gambling in professional basketball,” resulting in the arrests of several current and former NBA players and a coach.
One thing we notice in the news: this fits a passage we know from the Scripture: when money is the motive and mold of a life. It’s not about having money, but the greed, the hope for money, the desire for gain, and the love of wealth.
Paul does not say that money is inherently evil, but that when it controls our hearts, when we love it, trust it, lean on it, run after it, so much evil will follow. “For the person who loves to be rich,” Paul writes, “stumbles into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires.”
In this situation, it seems that players, insiders, “illegal bookies” and organized crime figures were all entangled in illegal gambling, betting and cheating, all “following” (or at least in pursuit of) money, power, an edge. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. This fits what Paul is saying: “some have wandered away from the faith and are causing themselves to be wounded by many griefs.”
May we not delude ourselves: great talent, fame, opportunity do not protect against spiritual danger. For those whose lives are not rooted and established in Christ, all kinds of ruin are possible. The Gospel points us to a foundation other than wealth, inside information, manipulation, or self‑enrichment.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, You are our treasure. You see our hearts when we don’t. Please forgive us for the times we have set money, success, recognition before You. Help us to be content in You alone. Teach us to live not for gain but for obedience, not for an edge but for love, not for ourselves but for service to others. We pray for those who this week have been exposed in scandal and shame. Restore the ruins. Heal the wounds. Bring repentance and new life. May our lives show the freedom of the Gospel‑that faith, hope, and love last forever, but the love of money is fatal. In Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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