‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have’ (Heb. 13:5)
A Bible verse often misquoted is ‘money is the root of all evil’. The Bible actually says that ‘the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil’ (1 Tim. 6:10). Money itself isn’t evil. It allows us to get by in life, but it’s to serve us, not the other way around. It’s not wrong to do well, and work is an important part of life, but if it takes up too much of our time and we’re consumed by acquiring wealth, our time is being wasted when it could be used for God’s glory. We can serve either God or money, not both (Mat. 6:24).
Develop a healthy attitude towards money, enjoy that which God has given you and be reassured that your real treasure is in Christ, and that will never spoil or fade.
Any resource we have should be used wisely, as one day we’ll be held accountable for its use (Mat. 25:29). We should never forget who gives us good things. Always be thankful (1 Thes. 5:18) and give back: that’s only reasonable and further blessing is promised as a result (Mal. 3:10).
Jesus said to bank up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:20) instead of trying to “Get rich or die tryin’“, as one rap artist put it. Don’t get distracted with unimportant things. Those who are caught up with the worries of this life suffer spiritually (Mark 4:19). Yes, bills need to be paid, but if flowers and birds are taken care of, how much more will our heavenly Father care for those who put his kingdom first? (Matt. 6:31-33)
The key, as Paul puts it, is to be content with our situation, be it rich or poor. (Phil. 4:11-13) So develop a healthy attitude towards money, enjoy that which God has given you and be reassured that your real treasure is in Christ, and that will never spoil or fade.
Simon Watts, The Church of God in Birmingham
1 Comment
Gilbert Grierson
20 October 2018 at 19:58A poet once wrote the words “getting and spending we lay waste our powers”. So much time is taken up in these two activities, driven by a materialistic outlook. What are our powers? With God’s help we can make a difference in this world, by pursuing the goals He has set for us, as guided by His word and empowered by His Spirit.
Even a small difference is a difference.
ONLY ONE LIFE, AND IT WILL SOON BE PAST,
ONLY WHAT IS DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST”