DON’T LOVE IT!

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. —I Timothy 6:10

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. —I Timothy 6:17-19

Money is like a brick or cement block in that it is of neutral value. What a person does with the money, brick or block is what matters. I can use a brick and hit someone over the head or I can use that same brick to help build a hospital. So it is with money. I can use it for good or evil purposes, but the money itself is of neutral value. It is my attitude toward it and use of it that determines whether it is good or evil.

It is the “love of money” that “is the root of all kinds of evil.” It is because of the love of money “that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” With an improper biblical perspective money can cause those who have it to be proud. They can also “set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches.” God has provided “us with everything to enjoy.” But we are to set our hopes on Him, not riches. He is the only One that remains “the same yesterday and today and forever? (Hebrews 13:8). “In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:5). Yes, things can change quickly.

A sad illustration of this that I have mentioned before was about the German Billionaire, Adolf Merckle. He lay on the tracks and committed suicide when his financial empire started to crumble. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a_C73O_KjPlY How sad it is when money becomes our life instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we keep the proper perspective on money and use it for the glory of God and not our own glory.

Dear Father, please help me to have the proper attitude toward wealth. Thank You for what You have provided for me to enjoy. May I enjoy it without allowing it to become more of a priority than You.