John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 6:9

"But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition." — 1 Timothy 6:9 (ASV)

They who wish to be rich. After having exhorted him to be content and to despise riches, he now explains how dangerous the desire to have them is, especially in the ministers of the Church, whom he expressly addresses in this passage. Now, the cause of the evils that the Apostle here enumerates is not riches, but an eager desire for them, even if the person is poor. And here Paul shows not only what generally happens but what must always happen; for every man who has resolved to become rich gives himself up as a captive to the devil. Most true is that saying of the heathen poet— “He who is desirous of becoming rich is also desirous of acquiring riches soon.” From this it follows that all who are violently desirous of acquiring wealth rush headlong.

From this also come those foolish, or rather, mad desires, which eventually plunge them into perdition. This is indeed a universal evil; but in the pastors of the Church it is more easily seen; for they are so maddened by avarice that they stick at nothing, however foolish, whenever the glitter of gold or silver dazzles their eyes.