Money is not evil, but it can lead to many temptations. Today's Bible reading highlights one common snare: trusting in money instead of God (1 Tim. 6:17).

We claim to trust in God, yet we act otherwise. A pile of money seems more secure to us than God's promise to provide, but Paul assured us that money is the uncertain part. Indeed, it's possible to run short of money, but we'll never run short of God's power to provide both essential and enjoyable things.

To appreciate God's limitless power to provide, it's useful to consider the limitations of money. A gospel tract that resembled a $20 bill helped me to understand this. On the back of the tract were these thought-provoking words: "Money will buy: A bed but not sleep. Food but not appetite. A house but not a home. Amusement but not happiness. A cross but not a Savior. A church pew but not heaven. What money can't buy, Jesus Christ gives freely without charge."

If Christ is your Savior, you need not be dominated by worry over material things. Instead, be ruled by Christ and His spiritual riches. You'll experience a rare combination money can't buy. Paul described it like this: "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim. 6:6).  — Joanie Yoder