Money. Like it or hate it, it’s hard to deny it is a necessity in modern day life.
Some of us have plenty of it, some to the point where it is no longer something to worry about. Some of us have none of it, and more seems to be going out than coming in. Some people seem to manage a lot with a little and others a little with a lot.
Evil money
I have heard ‘Money is the root of all evil’ spoken by those who have no idea of the terms origin - which is actually referenced incorrectly.
The actual verse originates from 1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 10 and says, ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows’.
This implies that money itself is not evil - but the love of it is.
Most wrong doings can be traced to an excessive attachment to material wealth.
The idolisation of this ‘object’ which if you fall in love with, will go beyond moral means to obtain it – destroying anyone or anything who gets in your way, lying, cheating and stealing at every chance just to get hold of it in the belief it will make you happier.
Examples of consequence
The TV series Breaking Bad, although not really my type of show and which needed a Christian friend to persuade me to watch it, did well, I felt, to portray how people can walk down the wrong road towards the love of money and power – changing from a humble everyday person to becoming obsessed with it - resulting in serious consequences to people around them and their ultimate destruction.
So if we are not to love money, should we bear a careless approach towards it and not worry about it, the future or the future of our children (either born or a few years away?)
For example, Hebrews chapter 13, verse 5 states, ‘Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.’
Responsibility
I have been reading a good book on being financially responsible, and through reading it, identified many better choices we could be making to secure now and into the future my family and myself – basically making sure we have enough to survive on without the pension at retirement.
My question was, should I trust this book to guide my finances or trust in God to provide and not worry about the future and money in general?
I pondered this for a good week and feel being financially smart is clearly better than not – within the bounds of His Word.
Using wisdom for some level of financial security is not sin.
Feeling pride in being ‘better’ than others over having more money than them, is.
There are quite a few verses throughout the Bible about having your heart in the right place in regards to money.
Matthew 6:21, Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, Hebrews 13:5 - all give the impression we are to put our treasures with God and not in earthly things such as money.
Trust not in money but be prepared
So I conclude that being responsible with what money you have, is not putting your trust in money - it is using your God given wisdom to make sure you can provide for those around you – your family, which is held in regard to a man’s duty to his family.
It is making sure you have enough reserves to ride out hard times – job loss, dealing with the unexpected and perhaps getting the best medical treatment available and to be able to help people out when the need arises. There is a difference between being smart with what you have and craving riches.
So many times I have conversed with my wife when we come across a struggling family or person, which we wished we had the financial resources to help them through, sometimes truly disheartening cases. If we had even a small reserve of money, I imagine we could do so much more for people.
It is my prayer that you might reflect on your finances and seek the Lord’s wisdom to make the best use of it – for the greater good.
Proverbs chapter 21 verse 20 – ‘There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.’
Michael Dahlenburg is an electronics engineer currently working in the ATM industry. He is non-denominational and has previously been involved in church plants and assisting those in ministry. His interests include; enjoying family, home DIY, gardening, most things tech-related and driving his wife crazy with a constant stream of inventions!
He lives with his wife Michelle and three children in God’s own land of Southern Adelaide, Australia.
Michael Dahlenburg’s previous articles may be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michael-dahlenburg.html
Michael Dahlenburg is an electronics technician. He is non-denominational and has previously been involved in church plants and assisting those in ministry. His interests include; enjoying family, home DIY, gardening, most things tech-related and driving his wife crazy with a constant stream of inventions! He lives with his wife Michelle and three children in God’s own land of Southern Adelaide, Australia.Michael Dahlenburg’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michael-dahlenburg.html