We are continuing in our examination of the Scriptures’ qualifications of elders/overseers/pastors. In the last blog post we looked at a word that pertains to dishonest gain. Here we will consider another term related to money or, specifically, the love of money. The word in question appears in Paul’s instructions to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:3) —

“not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” (ESV)

μὴ πάροινον, μὴ πλήκτην, ἀλλὰ ἐπιεικῆ, ἄμαχον, ἀφιλάργυρον… (THGNT)

The ESV translation gives us “not a lover of money” for our term, aphilarguros (ἀφιλάργυρος). A prominent dictionary gives the gloss “not loving money” (BDAG). (One might even coin a phrase such as “not money-loving.”) The point is that great appreciation, indeed love, is afforded to money.

This love for money is seen easily enough in the makeup of our word: aphilarguros (ἀφιλάργυρος). Its meaning is the opposite of the word philarguros (φιλάργυρος), “loving money” or “fond of money.” The alpha at the beginning of our word simply negates the meaning of the stem it is attached to (much like un- or non- do in English, as in say ”unkind” or “non-judgemental”). The base word, philarguros is made up of two components: phil- (φιλ), “love,” and arguros (ἄργυρος), “silver” or, generally, “money.” (Ancient coins were often made of silver.) In this series of posts, we’ve already encountered the word philoxenos (φιλόξενος), “hospitable” (or “guest-loving”), which is composed in a similar way.

So what, more specifically, does this love of money entail? Let’s begin with the basic word. Luke describes the Pharisees at one point like this (Luke 16:14) —

“The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.” (ESV)

Ἤκουον δὲ ταῦτα πάντα οἱ Φαρισαῖοι φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες καὶ ἐξεμυκτήριζον αὐτόν. (THGNT)

We find Luke describing the Pharisees as money-loving (philarguros – φιλάργυρος). Because of this love, they could not accept Jesus’ teachings, but rather mocked him. In this context, Jesus teaches in parables about wise use of money and also kindness and generosity to the poor, including the parable of the rich man who finds himself burning in torment after he dies, while Lazarus the poor man is taken to be with Abraham in heaven. Jesus also says this here (Luke 16:13) –

“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (ESV)

Οὐδεὶς οἰκέτης δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν· ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μεισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει. οὐ δύνασθε θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ. (THGNT)

True love for God – the word for “love” (agapan – ἀγαπᾶν) is different here – entails a relative hatred for money, Jesus teaches. (See also Matthew 6:24.)

We find the noun “love of money” (philarguria – φιλαργυρία) in the same letter where Paul says elders should not be lovers of money. Though a lengthier quote, I’ll put the context before us (1 Timothy 6:9-10) —

9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into 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 evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (ESV)

9 Οἱ δὲ βουλόμενοι πλουτεῖν ἐμπίπτουσιν εἰς πειρασμὸν καὶ παγίδα καὶ ἐπιθυμίας πολλὰς ἀνοήτους καὶ βλαβεράς, αἵτινες βυθίζουσιν τοὺς ἀνθρώπους εἰς ὄλεθρον καὶ ἀπώλειαν. 10 ῥίζα γὰρ πάντων τῶν κακῶν ἐστιν ἡ φιλαργυρία, ἧς τινες ὀρεγόμενοι ἀπεπλανήθησαν ἀπὸ τῆς πίστεως καὶ ἑαυτοὺς περιέπειραν ὀδύναις πολλαῖς. (THGNT)

Here Paul expounds on what is meant by “love for money” (philarguria – φιλαργυρία). It means a desire to get rich. Paul also offers a warning as to why this is so detrimental. The desire to become rich will ensnare you with accompanying passions that bring destruction.

If you are a church leader — or aspire to be one — and you have a strong desire to become rich, you should repent. This desire is not from God. Just prior to Paul’s statement about the love of money, he says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). Ask the good Lord to redirect your passions, towards him and his kingdom. And if, over the years, you have made decisions out of a love for money that have adversely affected the congregation you serve, please be honest and confess this to them. Make restitution. Don’t be afraid. God is near to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18). (If you have made serious transgressions, such as stealing, submit yourself to the counsel of the other leaders in the congregation – or to those who are above you in your denomination. Let them determine what you should do.) But know this: God is very merciful – more forgiving and eager to give second chances than anyone else you or I know. Just think of how quickly Peter was restored! Our Father looks for those who are humble (Isaiah 66:2). God, who sees the heart, will reward you richly – and in ways you are not expecting, for your humility. Only, trust in him now, rather than in your pocketbook.

Of course, in that previous paragraph I was not writing to false teachers. If you have been peddling the Word of God, teaching falsehoods, for financial gain, you need to step down immediately. Confess to your congregation what you have been doing. Turn your life back to God. Let him restore you to whatever form of service he determines, in his time. For now, though, just fall into His arms of mercy and let Him love you. You will be surprised by his unfathomable mercy and grace. And find a congregation that is fully committed to God’s Word, his way of love and the power of his Holy Spirit.

Returning to our word, aphilarguros (ἀφιλάργυρος), which appears just twice in the New Testament, we see it also here (Hebrews 13:5) —

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV)

Ἀφιλάργυρος ὁ τρόπος· ἀρκούμενοι τοῖς παροῦσιν· αὐτὸς γὰρ εἴρηκεν· οὐ μή σε ἀνῶ, οὐδ’ οὐ μή σε ἐγκαταλείπω· (THGNT)

Here we see the Scriptures contrasting two types of trust. On the one hand, some trust in their wealth. On the other, those who love God trust him to provide them with all their needs. In the same letter, the author reminds the community that he’s writing to that, at an earlier point in their faith journey, they actually rejoiced when some among them had had their property confiscated on account of persecution (Hebrews 10:34).

(We may note that Paul prophesies that in the last days there will be many lovers of money — 2 Timothy 3:2.)

Why do some leaders grow a love for money, letting it replace their love for God? Answering this question, though a worthy one, is beyond the scope of this blog post. I’ll give only a few, brief thoughts. In the Parable of the Sower, the Seed and the Four Soils, Jesus interprets the thorny ground like this. The cares of this world, pleasures, desires for other things and the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19), like thorny weeds, choke out the otherwise healthy plant that has grown by the power of God’s Word. Riches can have a deceptive allure to them. Storing up money gives one the illusion of stability and control. But, as the foolish, rich man in the parable learned, wealth provides no true security (Luke 16). The wisdom of Agur son of Jakeh makes this plain (Proverbs 30:7–9), when he says in a prayer –

7 “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die:
8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (ESV)

Being rich is not a sin. But wealth brings with it an added danger. Paul writes (1 Timothy 6:17) –

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” (ESV)

The danger is that one might set one’s hope on one’s savings, investments, assets and other forms of material wealth, not on God. The love of money, it seems, is rooted in a clear lie: wealth will, allegedly, bring with it security and peace of mind.

Let us consider just a few examples of how the love of money leads to destruction. First, it may lead to dishonesty. A prime example is Ananias and Sapphira, who walked into great dishonesty, even lying to the Holy Spirit who knows all, in order to keep money for themselves (Acts 5). (Think also of Achan whose love of money led to disobedience and the failure of all of Israel at the battle against Ai, in Joshua 7.)

The love of money will lead also to limited generosity. This is perhaps why not all of the widows were cared for earlier on in the life of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6).

Furthermore, if the leadership has a love of money that trumps their allegiance to the Lord, they will make decisions based primarily on what is available financially. It will be impossible to move in faith, if God leads them to step into something, before the finances are made clear. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, basing our decisions on the guidance of God and the greatness of God. (Abraham was told to go to a land, before knowing which one that would be. Jacob fled to Paddan-Aram, knowing only that in a vision God had promised him protection. The Israelites fled Egypt, not knowing how they would be able to eat and drink in a wilderness. The disciples were called to abandon their nets or tax collector’s booth, before understanding how they would be provided for. Through a vision, Paul, Silas and Timothy were called to Macedonia to serve, long before knowing that Lydia, a wealthy woman in Philippi, and Jason, a man in Thessalonica, would host them. The list goes on.)

Lastly, the love of money can lead to dishonest gain, a topic we looked at in the previous blog post. It might manifest itself even as misappropriating funds (stealing) from the congregation’s finances.

Let us strive, then, to trust in God and to love him in all we do, not having our faith in or our loving passion directing toward amassing wealth.

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