Pierce yourself with sorrow?

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

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Don't follow the crowd. Don't think money is the answer. Don't crave money.

This is Paul's advice. Paul warns us against making money our goal.

Advertisements, films, magazines, TV, and the lives of the "A" listers (B, C, and D listers too.) all seem to say riches make us happy. It's a lie. Sadly, so called churches and self proclaimed Christian leaders preach lies often called the "name it and claim it" Christian theology.

Jesus lived hand to mouth. Jesus lived on the kindness of others. Paul worked day and night sometimes refusing some of the money offered by churches.

I'm not suggesting you should never humbly receive a gift or expect an honest wage for honest work. What I believe the bible is teaching is putting your trust in God. Reject the overwhelming tendency to think more money is what you need. Refuse to worship riches. Repudiate the pursuit of happiness through "comfortable living."

Here's a test of your love of money. Do you say in your heart, "I'd just like enough so I don't have to worry and so I can ...."

Is it possible that reveals an underlying distrust of God? Is it possible you need to repent of trusting money more than you trust God?

Do you really agree with God and believe that godliness with contentment is great wealth or that food and clothing should be enough to be content?

Have you believed a lie? Do you think money is the answer? Let me tell you, it is not! Are you saying quietly under your breath, "well it wouldn't hurt!"? It is possible you've believed a lie.

What does the Bible say?
Money brings sorrow. Money pierces. Riches are a trap. Wealth plunges people into ruin and destruction.

Do you want to argue the point? Is it because you've seen too many people content with little who should have desired riches? Have you seen people so free from the love of money that they were inhibited in their love of God? Was Paul wrong? Or could it be you are trapped by the lie that a little more money would make you happier, safer, a better person or more content. 

Is it possible that you trust money more than God?

Read what Paul says next (below) and then think again.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

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By any genuine global standard you are most likely rich.
Do you have clothes and food?