Money matters.

At least it matters to most people I know, including myself. There are few things closer to the heart than money. Maybe it’s because most of our waking hours are spent earning it. And there are few decisions, dreams, goals and ambitions that are not in some way influenced by it.

God’s Word talks directly about money. Jesus spoke more about the subject of money than any other topic during His three years of public ministry. The Bible deals pointedly with the pursuit of wealth and material gain. No ambiguity here!

It’s not so much that such pursuit is itself wrong, but rather it’s that few can control wealth without it eventually controlling them. Wealth does bring power. As someone has poignantly said, “Whoever has the gold makes the rules”, a take on the Golden Rule as found in Matthew’s Gospel 7:12.

Paul warned that the love of money is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10). Note carefully that it’s the LOVE of money that’s the issue, not money itself. In Proverbs 30 the writer cries, “O God, I beg two favours from you before I die. First, help me to never tell a lie. Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal, and thus insult God’s holy name.” (Proverbs 30:7-9 – The Living Bible). And that’s where the rub comes for many who strive after wealth. It becomes a substitute for seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness and trusting God to meet daily needs (Matthew 6:19-33).
But consider: money matters to God too. Money is absolutely necessary to the spreading of the Gospel here on earth. Ministry costs, whether one is a pastor, evangelist or Global Worker. The fact is that God has chosen to work through human servants to accomplish His will. And part of that accomplishing of God’s will requires the provision of finances to do it. And that’s where we all come in with our tithes and offerings.

Completing 59 years of ministry I’ve seen what wealth or lack of wealth does to people. Some Christians can handle riches and serve God faithfully. Others tragically, when given wealth, fail in their service to the Lord.

So, let’s explore I Timothy 6:9-10). Here’s what I see in that biblical passage.

1) When a person becomes rich, they will experience temptations that the person who is not rich will not experience; and in addition, Paul says, can easily fall into foolish and hurtful lusts.

2) The result is that people get overwhelmed and can drown in the destruction of their lives.

That’s often what happens when “the LOVE of money takes over one’s life.” The issue pretty much boils down to this. People are never satisfied with the amount of money they have.

The LOVE of money (not money itself) has destroyed marriages, wrecked homes and changed lives from God-consciousness to money-consciousness.

And when that happens destruction almost always follows and displays itself in ruined marriages, ruined children, ruined relationships and people actually losing their own souls. Paul said, “Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:10) To quote Jesus on this subject, He declared, “A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) More important than things, is a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Psalm 49:16-17 David said: “Don’t be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases, for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.” And David goes on to say in verse 20, “A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.”

Now, all the above being said, there were many very wealthy people mentioned in the Bible. To just name a few, there was Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Joseph of Arimathea, Dorcas, Cornelius, Sergius Paulus, Lydia, Aquila and Priscilla. These folks we remember as using their wealth for good, for others. But then there was Ananias and Sapphira’s story found in Acts 5 who sold a piece of real estate and donated part of the sale proceeds to the Church, but led Peter and the other disciples to believe they’d donated the whole amount. For that lie they died on the spot! But why did they lie? It was because of their greed and LOVE of money. Remember, there is inherently nothing bad or wrong about being wealthy. The Bible reminds us that it’s the LOVE of money that must be dealt with.

The challenge for the wealthy is to want to keep it, to amass even more and to spend it on one’s own fleshly desires. However, the way to keep it is to give it away to the work of God. God’s Word promises,

“Give, and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38) Perhaps in no other area have Christians today so adapted to the values of this world. So let me conclude by providing the following Scripture references that clearly speak for themselves. (All references are from the NIV).

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

“Do not wear yourselves out to get riches; have the wisdom to show restraint.” (Proverbs 23:4)

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24)

“And do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
(Hebrews 13:16)

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (I John 3:17)

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34)

“Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)

MONEY WILL BUY:

A bed………………..but not sleep
Books………………..but not brains
Food………………….but not appetite
Finery………………..but not beauty
A house……………..but not a home

Medicine……………but not health
Luxuries………………but not culture
Amusements……….but not happiness
A crucifix …………….but not a Saviour
A church seat……….but not Heaven” (Anonymous)