Turning Our Hearts Away From Selfish Gain

Devotional Thoughts on Psalm 119:36-37 and 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:36-37).

In his commentary on Psalms 73-150 in The People’s Bible® series, Professor John F. Brug wrote that the verses of Psalm 119:36-37 are “noteworthy as a prayer for God-pleasing values and priorities in life” (p. 199).

The devil, the world, and our sinful nature constantly try to turn our hearts toward selfish gain and our eyes toward worthless things. Consumerism and materialism are deeply woven into our culture.

Those are powerful temptations, and it’s all too easy to fall for them.

No wonder the apostle Paul warned his fellow pastor, Timothy, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9)

Let’s be clear: Having wealth in this life is not sinful.

God blesses his children with many earthly blessings, including wealth; all good things come from our heavenly Father above. And we can use the undeserved gifts we’re blessed with to serve God and our neighbor to God’s glory.

However, the pursuit of money comes with dangerous temptations. As Paul went on to write, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Better to live with these words echoing in our hearts and minds, influencing our thoughts, words, and actions: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

How hard it is to live those words! How hard it is to live a godly life with contentment and the proper priorities!

And so we pray alongside the psalmist, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”

We pray these words because we know that, no matter how hard we try, our sinful hearts and eyes will always be drawn to selfish gain and worthless things. Our sinful hearts and eyes will always try to lead us away from God and toward death and destruction. Left to ourselves and our own devices, that’s exactly where we would end up.

Dear Christian, that’s why God must be the one at work in our hearts, turning us toward him and away from the pursuit of wealth for selfish gain. God must be the one to turn our eyes away from worthless things: the things of this world that do not last—whether it’s money, possessions, or anything that steals our attention away from God.

We need him. God alone can preserve our lives and ultimately rescue us from these bodies subject to death because of sin.

In his Word and sacraments, God does just that. He turns our hearts to him. He creates in us pure hearts and renews steadfast spirits within us. He turns our eyes toward the cross—toward what Jesus has done for us with his perfect life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection from the grave.

Our sins are all forgiven. We’re God’s dearly loved children. We have a home in heaven. All because of Jesus.

Thank you, God! Help us live according to your Word. Help us fix our eyes on you. Amen.

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