Money itself is not evil, nor is it good. It all depends on what our attitude is toward it. How people spend or use money is the problem with the world. Evil concerning money all comes back to the love of money, which is greed. And greed is the reason the world is such a mess today. But “…we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7) of this world either.
For those who do love money, it will drive them on into all evil. Wickedness and corruption usually develop from the love of money, one way or the other.
The Love of Money Leads Many Into Evil
People are drawn into all kinds of sin because of the love of money! Some may have money but they don’t love it. But for those who do love money, it will drive them on into all evil. Wickedness and corruption usually develop from the love of money, one way or the other. If we chase things of this nature, we’ll soon be aware of plenty of opposition in our pursuit of money, because we live in a very competitive world.
Making money often turns into a struggle, and sometimes a very dirty one. But if we follow what pleases God instead, we will also find a fight. Only this time around, it will be a fight of faith, since the world, the flesh and the devil will be opposing us. Faith in the living God is all that can and will overcome them.
People of this world may acquire as much earthly gain as they can, but the children of God are called to heavenly gain, which is eternal life. They are to lay hold of it by seeking all those things it consists of from a practical point of view. “…they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9).
All kinds of people intensely desire to be rich, and therefore, the chief pursuit of their life is making money. It’s far too easy for a Christian to become infected with this spirit and shift towards a love of money, which will result in great loss.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
The Love of Money Draws Many From God Into a Trap
All who desire to be rich consider riches to be the object they should pursue. Many lusts may trap people of the world that will plunge them into havoc and destruction. This is true whether they’re successful or not in reaching their goal and manage to accumulate great wealth. The reason is, that it’s not just the acquiring and misusing of money only, but also the coveting of it which turns people aside from having faith in God. “The love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).
How extremely difficult it is to harbor a desire to be rich as the leading drive of our soul, and to remain honest at the same time.
The love of money or possessions we don’t have in the purpose of God is what we must avoid. How extremely difficult it is to harbor a desire to be rich as the leading drive of our soul, and to remain honest at the same time. Many evils would be eliminated from the planet if the love of money was eliminated!
Contentment and a Love for God is the Goal
We read that “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). The outcome of godliness is not worldly gain, but God. We need to walk as if we were in the presence of God, simply trusting in His goodness, with our heart content, and then we’ll have very great gain of a spiritual nature. Having a good conscience and walking with God in true faithfulness should makes us content, no matter what our circumstances may be. “Having food or raiment let us therewith be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). We have food and clothes, so we should simply praise the Lord and be satisfied.
If we set our mind and heart on getting a nicer house, or a better-paying job, or many more possessions in this world, then we are covetous—which is idolatry.
Many Are Content With This World and Reject God
Any godly person who is content with his condition in this world already has enough, and he’ll certainly be content in the next world. Those people God has prospered should use their abundance for His glory. If we set our mind and heart on getting a nicer house, or a better-paying job, or many more possessions in this world, then we are covetous—which is idolatry. This means that we are questioning God’s will, and usually involves neglecting our spiritual commitments. And it will also put us in fellowship with evil people.
True Riches Are Found in the Things of God
What any child of God who belongs to the house of God should be coveting isn’t money, but following “after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:11)—the fruits of the Spirit. All true believers should run from the evil things that follow the love of money, and should seek those things which are the fruit of the Spirit instead. Whatever our condition is here on earth, if we truly believe in God, we are already rich in His faith, love and grace.
If the focal point of our life is the love of money or gain, we’re going to be miserable. But if God is the core of our life, we’re going to be rich, with a full and blessed life. Let’s keep God at the center of our life, and seek righteousness and godliness, so that we might truly be rich people. Then we will be able to enjoy the true riches that are eternal.
[Additional image credits; Featured image (when applicable) by Hatice EROL from Pixabay; Opening image by Nikolay Frolochkin from Pixabay]
