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Everyone knows that money can’t buy happiness but millions of people want to be the first person to disprove this fact. Why do they want more money? So they can afford luxuries. So they can buy happiness. In today’s world, money represent power, influence, status, and success. For many people, money is a god. Money is their purpose in this life.
True, money can buy certain comforts and provide some security. Ecclesiastes 10:19, “… and money answers everything.” The Scriptures puts money in its proper place. However, the love of money in this generation has caused many sorrows, shame, disgrace, and destruction. Rich people craving greater riches can be caught in an endless cycle that only end in ruin. Poor people lusting for money can be caught up in debts.
Government leaders, businesses, families even Churches get trapped into thinking money can meet all their needs. They throw money at their problems.
This is not teaching that money is evil, instead it is warning against greed, and envy. Scripture recognizes that money is necessary for survival, but it warns against the love of money. The love of money is sinful because we trust money rather than God to solve our problems. This has caused breakdown in marriages, friendships, businesses, government, Churches etc. In fact, any relationship (Husband - Wife; Employer – Employee; Parent – Children; Friend – Friend) base on money is destined to fail. Money is a poor foundation to build any lasting legacy.
1 Timothy 6: 9-10 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The good Book give examples of people whose lives were ruined because of the love of money;
- Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery for the love of money (Genesis 37: 27-28).
- Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for the love of money (Matthew 27: 3-5).
- Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, and his descendants were cursed with Naaman’s leprosy because of his desire for money (2 kings 5:25-27).
In 1988, Buddy Post won the Pennsylvania lottery. He won $16.2 million. But he found out, as all people do, that happiness does not come from riches, power, or fame. He stated, “Before I hit the lottery, I was more content. I had no pressure. I didn’t have the worries.”
How to keep away from the love of money
- Be CONTENT: There is a difference between what we need and what we want. We can choose to be content without having all that we want. “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. So if we enough food and clothing, let us be content.”- 1 Timothy 6:6-8. Be thankful and be grateful with what God has given you. Someone will die for the husband you complain about, someone will kill for the job you constantly complain of, someone is praying to be in the same situation you are ungrateful for. Hebrews 13: 5 tells us to “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Be GENEROUS: If you been blessed with wealth, then thank the Lord. Don’t be proud and don’t trust in your money. Use your money to do good. Be rich in good works, and be ready to share. No matter how much money you have, your life should demonstrates that God controls the wealth that has been placed under your care.
- LOVE GOD: Far more valuable than wealth is obedience to God because it is a heavenly treasure rather than an earthly one. We should do what God wants, regardless of the financial implications. To seek the Kingdom of God above all else means to put God first in your life, to fill your thoughts with his desires and obey him. As you serve God, check your motives - you can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).
Twitter: SamuelMantey
Email: Samuelmantey@gmail.com
