Thoughts from a Random Mind

1 Timothy 6:10 _{Amplified Bible}

“For the love of money [that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically] is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves [through and through] with many sorrows.”

 

                  First, this verse is misquoted quite often. People say, “Money is the root of all evil”, which is NOT true. Money or wealth is immaterial. It is non-emotional. It is also not immoral or unethical. Money is simply the vehicle that can be used to sustain oneself or to commit sin. Now let me clarify. Money is NOT the problem. How one accumulates it and what they do with it can become the problem. Is a person’s financial status achieved thru ill-gotten gain or thru legitimate means? Does that person accumulate money for themselves alone for the sake of having what they would consider to be financial security, hoarding it unto themselves, or are they open to spreading it where it may be needed very badly. If the shoe were on the other foot how would they feel? 

                  Some folks will do ANYTHING to achieve wealth. They will lie, cheat, steal ... be generally deceitful, backstabbing friends to achieve something they want. Don’t believe me? Watch a season of The Summit, Survivor, Big Brother, The Challenge, Deal or No Deal Island. People will vote off their closest, most trusted ally to achieve what they seek, which could be anywhere from $250,000 or $1,000,000. What many of the participants consider to be “life changing” money. I get it. The temptation is great to do what you feel is necessary to get what you feel you so desperately need. But is it worth trashing your reputation or your personal integrity? 

                  There will no doubt be some folks who think I’m making something out of nothing here. Am I really? If you achieved the big prize winnings but had everyone hating you for the way to played the game, would that be alright with you? Would you care? What are your morals? How ethical are you. Money makes you do and say things you wouldn’t normally say or do. EVERYTHING in this earthly life is temporal. NOTHING will last forever. If things lasted forever companies would eventually go out of business, because folks would buy their product and never need another one. 

                  Where is God in all this? Do you think He’s okay with doing whatever you have to to gain riches? If that is true then why does Jesus say in Matthew 6:24 ^{Amplified Bible} “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” Your integrity matters. Living a moral, ethical life matters. It matters to the Lord, and it SHOULD matter to you. 

                  There is a saying, “You can’t take it with you when you go” and that happens to be true. Millions, if not more, play the lottery every day in the hopes of hitting it big. Elderly people play your life savings at casinos or again, on lottery tickets in the hope of having their golden years truly be golden. The reality is that only one person wins each day, and it probably won’t be you. The odds are stacked against you. Look at YouTube for the video about the lottery winners who won mega bucks only to have it destroy their lives. And to say, “that would never happen to me” is ignorant thinking. 

                  If you’re a Christian, God has promised to meet every single one of your NEEDS. Not your wants, your NEEDS. Having desires are fine, as long as they don’t consume you. Think first, pray first, then do what you believe would be pleasing to the Lord.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries