04/04/2008
1 Timothy 6:9 - 10 (HCSB)
9But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
1 Timothy 6:17 (HCSB)
17Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
In December 2007, Adam Grennan attempted to rob a bank in Dorchester, Massachusetts. To avoid suspicion, he stood in line patiently until a teller was available. But he failed to realize that a uniformed police officer was right behind him in line. Grennan was immediately arrested. (Boston Globe, 01/01/2008)
Many of us have heard the maxim above “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” And in fact, many of us have heard this maxim misquoted as “money is the root of all evil.” When we think about the “evil” that comes from the love of money, we frequently think about things like this bungled bank robbery. But what other evil can come from the love of money?
Consider this: if the pursuit of money/wealth drives you to work long hours neglecting your spouse or children, or if you continually play the lottery or gamble hoping to win big, then your focus may not be where it needs to be. Remember John DeLorean, the maker of the memorable stainless-steel car, when in need of money found himself caught up in a drug trafficking sting. These are just a few examples, but there can be many forms.
The per-capita income in the USA is much higher than in most of the rest of the world. Yet many of us do not consider ourselves “rich.” We continue to strive for some higher standard of living, believing this will bring some measure of happiness. But as many celebrities have demonstrated by their “crash-and-burn” behaviors, money does not necessarily bring happiness.
Then what does bring happiness? Is it poverty? Some monks, on the premise that money is the root of all evil, have sworn themselves to poverty. But I contend that we need to take money out of the equation of happiness altogether.
Think about this; would you be happier in a room full of cash, or a room full of friends? Would you rather spend time counting your money, or counting your grandchildren?
I don’t mean to imply that money is of no importance at all, but rather to point out that it is merely a tool. We should treat it as such and not as the object receiving the central focus of our existence. God has provided us with nice things for our enjoyment. But when we focus on the things more than on our faith, then we practice a form of paganism – worshiping the creation over the creator.
How does money factor into your equation for happiness? How does God’s grace factor into your equation for happiness?
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2008 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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