Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Money

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. For 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 6:8-11



Money. 

If you get enough of it you can have almost anything you want: a big house, a fast car, nice clothes, fancy food, tropical vacations, plastic surgery, beautiful friends, and sometimes even lovers. This is just how our world works. It always has, and it probably always will. Though we claim to have grown past this level of base greed, deep down many of us still believe that more money would make us happier.

Just look at social media. You can scroll through an endless number of pictures of young people flashing big stacks of cash. These young people are merely emulating celebrities whom they often see draped in opulent jewelry and drinking expensive liquor while flanked by their cars, yachts or planes. You may be older and wiser than these kids on social media, but don't think you are beyond the allure of being rich. In my experience love of money knows no age limit. Your concept of happiness may look less like Jay-Z than a fat 401k, but none of us are above being tempted by riches.

But Scripture warns us that this desire to be rich is a trap! Proverbs 23:4-5 says, "Do not wear yourself out to get rich... Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." So, don’t work to get rich. Work to provide for your family, or to advance God’s kingdom, or to improve yourself; but never merely to get rich. 

Riches almost always disappoint and corrupt their owner. 1 Timothy 6:8-11 reveals that this desire for money can plunge us into ruin and destruction. It can produce all kinds of evil in us. Wanting to be rich is a foolish and harmful dream whose only rewards may prove to be grief, pain and apostasy. The man or woman who wants to be rich is like the dog who chases its own tail. It very likely will never catch it, and it is sure to be disappointed and hurt if it ever does. 

So be wise! Regularly surrender significant sums of your money to the Lord asking Him to direct you to some church or ministry to give to. In doing so you will not only store up treasure for yourself in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), but will also continually put to death any growing love of money that tries to take root in your heart. Be vigilant! 


For further reading...
  • Luke 4:5-8- Satan tried to tempt Jesus with all the world had to offer too.

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