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.
Paul sets godly contentment against the restlessness of people whose aim in life is wealth. He then traces the road they take: a wish, then a trap, then ruin.
The purpose, not the purse
The verse targets a settled intention rather than the mere fact of having money. One writer notes that the word carries the force of a plan the heart has adopted.
Hamilton SmithIn contrast with godly contentment there is the restlessness of those who desire to be rich. Wealth has its snares, as the Apostle shows a little later. But what ruins the soul is not necessarily the possession of wealth; it is the "desire to be rich." Others have pointed out that this word "desire" includes the idea of purpose. The danger is this. Instead of being content to earn his living, the believer may set himself with "purpose" of heart to be rich. So riches become the object, instead of the Lord.
One writer puts it to the reader directly:
W. T. P. WolstonDo you want to be rich? You will fall into a pit. This is the point. It is not that there is any harm in money, but in the love of it.
What the wish exposes
The ambition itself is a verdict on the heart that holds it.
William KellyWhat does such a desire betray? Discontent with the calling God has given; distrust of His will, goodness, and wisdom in the way He deals with each of us… Child of God, where is your treasure? Is it Christ in heaven? If so, you are happy! If it is wealth or distinction, the Lord warns, There also will be your heart. Many hold a fond notion that flatly contradicts Christ: that while the life is swallowed up in the struggle for riches, the heart is not there at all but stays true to Him. What could be more false, or more deceiving!
Temptation, and then the snare
Being tempted and falling into temptation are two different things.
William KellyTo fall into temptation is quite different from being tempted. Being tempted is hard; but blessed is the one who endures temptation… Christ suffered while He was tempted. He did not give in to the pleasure of the moment and then lie down afterwards in useless sorrow.
The second word marks a further stage, where escape is no longer in the person's own hands:
William Kelly"A snare" goes further still than temptation. It pictures the deceived soul caught in the enemy's net, and only the grace and power of the Lord can free him.
One desire breeds many
The craving does not stay single.
William KellyFurther, the desire for riches does not come alone. It is the parent of "many senseless and harmful desires." It feeds vanity. It breeds pride. It serves selfishness. It suggests and promotes ambition, and so may be the means of corrupting others.
Where the road ends
The verse ends with two words for ruin. The ESV has "ruin and destruction"; the writer below quotes an older wording, "destruction and perdition", and weighs each word.
William KellyThe way is sad and evil, and the end is wretched beyond words… Of course this describes "men," not "saints." But some of the most terrible examples are people who once took that place, and were perhaps recognized without question among those who confessed Christ… "Destruction" is the general word for their ruin; "perdition" is sharper and more dreadful still. Part of the snare and folly is to lean on the Lord's name, as if wearing it must shield a person from the harm that unbelief brings — the unbelief that treats His word lightly and lets self-will run loose.
The way of escape
One writer sets the whole chain — temptation, snare, harmful desires, ruin — beside the plain wish that starts it, and points to the way out.
J. N. DarbyThis is the association God makes — what in His mind is bound up with the commonest of all desires, the desire to be rich! And His path of escape is this: having food and clothing, let us be content with that.
Summary
- Desire. The warning falls on the purpose to be rich, not on the money itself. When riches become the aim, they have replaced the Lord.
- Distrust. Wanting to be rich betrays discontent with the place God has given, and doubt about His goodness. To think the heart stays with Christ while the life chases wealth is self-deception.
- Descent. The verse maps a slope. A person can endure temptation. A snare is worse: the enemy's net holds the soul, and only the Lord's grace can free it.
- Doubling. One desire breeds many. It feeds vanity and pride, serves selfishness, fuels ambition, and can corrupt others along the way.
- Destruction. The end described is that of "men," not of saints. Still, no one should assume that wearing Christ's name shields a life that lets self-will run loose. The escape is contentment with food and clothing.