When you hear the word “rich,” what does it mean? What would be “enough” for you? Do you know? Is it a number, feeling, place, or thing?

Some say it’s a certain percentage more than whatever you currently have. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 shows what you’re chasing, holding, and trusting when money matters more than it should, and shapes your life.

#1 More is always a trap. “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,” (v. 9). Paul says those who want to be rich can fall into temptation and a snare, a trap you don’t even notice.

It looks harmless at first. You think you’ve got it handled, that you can depend on yourself, but you don’t. The issue isn’t money. It’s your heart that keeps wanting more. As a dad, this looks like always chasing the next raise, the newer model, the bigger screen. Slow down and ask: Am I drifting into something that’s starting to own me?

#2 What you love always shapes you. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils,” (v. 10). Paul doesn’t say money is the problem. He says the love of it is. Hear the heart issue? This happens when money stops being a tool and starts becoming something you lean on, protect, and value too much.

Whatever has your heart has your life. You can own things. But you need to guard against things owning you. As a dad, if your mood rises and falls with your paycheck, savings, or investments, something’s not right. Love the Creator more than the created things.

#3 Greed always takes more than it gives. “It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs,” (v. 10). Paul says some, chasing this craving, have wandered from the faith and “pierced themselves” with many pains. Huh? The idea is that you hurt yourself with something you thought would help.

Paul had seen it. Greed doesn’t stay with the money. It moves into everything. As a dad, it can cost you peace, presence, and joy. Your kids feel it. When all you want is more, you’ll never be satisfied. Lead your family differently. Don’t chase money and performance so much that you miss God.

Why Your Past Shows Up in Your Parenting: Ever reacted to something small and wondered where that came from? It probably did not start with your kid’s bike in the driveway.

Episode 250 Led Us to One Powerful Word: We just completed episode 250 of the Father On Purpose podcast, and what started as a goofy search for the number 250 in the Bible turned into one of the better conversations we have had about faith.

“Prosperity knits a man to the world. He feels that he is finding his place in it, while really it is finding its place in him.” —C.S. Lewis

“Money often costs too much.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

I once heard it put this way: you can have real money in the bank and look broke, or be buried in debt and look successful. That tells you everything, right? Don’t live for appearances or try to impress people with what you have.

Take an honest look: What are you holding too tightly right now? Money, status, control, the next upgrade?

Start loosening your grip. Give something away, say no to more, and let your kids see what contentment in God actually looks like.

Kent Evans
Author of Don’t Bench Yourself, co-founder of Manhood Journey

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

Forward this to a dad you know who needs some encouragement.