Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a 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 6:9-10 NIV

You will hear people say that money is the root of all evil or they will say that the Bible says that money is the root of all evil.  As you see from this scripture passage, this is not true.  The Bible says that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.

When you see someone who loves money, you usually see someone that will do anything to get it or to keep what they have.  I know a man that has defrauded so many people and continues to do so.  Our parish courthouse is filled with law suits where this man has taken money from people fraudulently.  When you see someone operating this way, it is crystal clear that they love money.  They don’t value people.  They don’t care about anyone, they just love money.  They will do or say whatever it takes to get more.  Now sadly, this person is a prime example that God does not honor this type of behavior.  My understanding is that the latest filing in the local courthouse is this man’s bankruptcy.  Because he never worked hard at earning money and always sought to defraud others, he is now basically left with nothing.  He works for wages that are garnished from previous law suits.

Some people just don’t get it.  I mean have you ever seen a hearse pulling a u-haul? The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”.  Mark 8:36, “what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet lose their soul?”.

Being wealthy is not a bad thing.  The Bible clearly tells us that it is what we do with our wealth that is important.  1 Timothy chapter 6 goes on in verses 17-20 to say this, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”  I also know a wealthy man who is on fire for God.  He uses his wealth to share the love of Christ with others and God continues to bless him financially.

When people love money, they have a hard time sharing.  All good things come from God.  If God blesses us with money, then we should bless others who are in need.

Just yesterday my husband and I were talking about how the lost in this world just don’t get it.  If God blesses you and you use that blessing to bless others, then God will continue to bless you beyond what you can imagine.  However, if you make money by cheating others and going against God’s word, no good can come from that.  Your evil behavior will never produce good results.

Today is a good time to take a look at how you view money.  Do you view it as something that you love and just can’t get enough of?  Or do you view it as something needed for survival and are content just having enough to survive?  Are you willing to use what money you can, even if it is a small amount to help others?

There’s a saying that you can’t outgive God.  Tithe faithfully, that is a whole other blog, but trust me you can’t afford not to tithe.  Andy Stanley said that his father Charles taught him to give a little, spend a little, and save a little.  I think that this is a great way to think about money.

Pray for God to take care of your needs.  When we honor God with our earnings, He takes care of our needs.  Also ask God to make you aware of the needs of others and bless you in a way that you may be able to bless others.

Have a great weekend!