Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:10 (American Standard Version)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The first part of this version, “for the love of money,” is familiar. I only recently noticed the last part.

Take a sewing needle. Coat it with lemon juice and salt. Poke it into a sensitive part of your body, let’s say the inside of your nose. Okay, don’t really do this. Just consider doing this. That is the closest thought of what it would be to pierce myself with sorrow.

Here is another: consider the saddest day of your life. Put that in your gut. Keep it there forever. Never “get over it.” How is that one?

I like what money can bring me. Most folks I know like what money can bring them. Do we have “the love of money?” I don’t like that question. Please God, help me in my unbelief.