“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:10-11)

“The Cat in the Cradle” is a famous older song about a father who is too busy to spend time with his son. Though the son repeatedly begs his father spend time with him, the father offers little more than vague promises to spend time together some other time in the future. He is seemingly wrapped up with his jOB and earning a living.

As the song progresses the child who wants to be just like Dad grows up. The day with Dad never did come to fruition.
In the last two verses of the song, the roles are reversed and the child has grown up into a young man and doesn’t have time for his father. The father, an elder man, realizes that he neglected the opportunity to have a close relationship with his child. Maybe he achieved financial success, but in the process, he gave up his son.

In our generation, we often flip-flop our priorities placing more emphasis on the present circumstances and place an “entertainment value” on our priorities. Do we give up our family, our spouse and children because of our love for money? Do we spend more time and effort earning a paycheck, squandering our free time away on selfish ambitions and worthless deeds?

For Further Contemplation:

Family is the only thing on this earth that can follow us to heaven for eternity.
JOBs, toys, cars, money, houses, and the like will burn, melting down into absolutely nothing but a meaningless pile of ash.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”