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No Comments The Love of Money
Many misquote what scripture says regarding money and say that money is the root of all evil. No, it’s the love of money. You hear of people doing atrocious things for the sake of money. Every imaginable crime is committed for money.
The love of money is a root that’s deeply embedded in the soul, creating a drive to do what’s necessary to water the money vine. Whether it’s money itself or the things it can buy matters not; it’s the gradual searing of the conscious that makes a man a callous observer of hurting people.
But there’s another side of the love of money we should look at. Many are striving for success, devouring self-help books, attending seminars, and working long hours to attain wealth (money). This may be the greater sin. Why? Is it wrong to succeed? No, of course not. Is it wrong to work hard? No again. So what is it I am saying?
Jesus summarized all the commandment into just two. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you do so, you won’t continually be trying to take what’s in his pocket and put in yours. You’ll give him an honest trade for your labor and his money. You won’t sin to get his stuff. And you’ll believe that all blessings come from God. He is why you are prosperous.
How about loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind? I would think that all those “extra” hours would belong to God. All that striving would be for His kingdom and not ours. We’re working for God. We’re servants.
My long-time employer of years ago told me something which made a lot of sense to me. He was very successful and a leader in his field. His name was Duane Nelson of Spokane, Washington. I don’t know everything about him, if he had Christian upbringing, or much else but his secret to success was based on Biblical instruction. Sure, he worked hard, was disciplined, all of those things you would expect a successful man to be.
The Bible instructed the owners of the fields to leave some of the crops to be gleaned by the poor. Duane said that you should always leave something on the table for the other guy; don’t be greedy. You shouldn’t take all that you can get. In other words, don’t love money so much that you take advantage of others. Be kind in your dealings.
God wants you to be successful. Money may be involved but maybe not. In the parable of the talents, one man was given one, another five, and another ten. We are only responsible for what’s been given to you. To whom much is given, much is required. But we are all responsible for our service to God and the growing of His kingdom.