OSAS And 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Q

Does 1 Tim 6:10 have anything to do with one’s salvation? ” 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.”

A

Paul stated very clearly stated that our salvation is guaranteed from the moment we first believe (Ephes. 1:13-14, 2 Cor. 1:21-22) and nothing can ever separate us from God (Romans 8:38-39). Therefore 1 Tim. 6:10 can’t be about losing one’s salvation.

Paul began this train of thought in 1 Tim. 6:6, saying as long as we have enough to get by on we should be content. After all we didn’t bring anything into the world and we won’t take anything out of it (verses 6-8).

Then he mentioned two kinds of people. In verse 9 he said the pursuit of wealth has brought some to ruin and destruction. Based on his belief in eternal security he had to be referring to those whose pursuit of wealth kept them from making a commitment to the Lord so they were never really saved in the first place. They may become wealthy in this life but they’ll spend eternity in torment.

The second group is the topic of verse 10. There he had believers who fail to submit to the Lord’s will for their lives in mind. These believers choose to live secular lives focused only on acquiring the things this world has to offer. In the end they will still be saved but will regret having lived totally fruitless lives where the Kingdom is concerned. The Lord spoke of these believers in the parable of the sower and the seed (Matt. 13:22). This is why He cautioned us not to store up treasure on Earth, but focus on storing up treasure in Heaven (Matt. 6:19-21).