Bible and Money. Do you agree that money is the root of all evil?
It is passed down in my family that having too much money is not a good thing. One of my aunt even told me that money is the root of all evil. This is probably due to the Chinese culture that if men has more money, then he will not be loyal to his marriage.
But is it? What did the Bible mentioned about money?
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." 1 Timothy 6:10
As I dig deeper into the Word, God never mentioned money is the root of all evil. God actually means the love of money is the root of all evil.
So what did the Word of God mentioned about Bible and money? It is of real importance that you and I read God's word in context and not to omit relevant words in the Scriptures.
Let's look at what Jesus said about bible and money in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:24 (AMP) "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).
Surely not! God is against money having you. Money, like fire makes a good servant but a bad master.
Judas betrayed the LORD Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Matt 26:15) At the end of his betrayal, he hung himself (Matt 27). So what is the use of these money at the end of day? In this case, money is a bad master.
Revelation 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Isn't it an irony while gold is so highly priced on earth when the streets of heaven are of pure gold?
Money needs to live out its intended purpose which is to serve Man, not to enslave them. Do you realize that the more you run towards money, money seems to elude you?
Money seems to be never enough until we commit the first fruits of our income to the LORD, trusting in Him that He shall multiply and bless the first fruits from our hands and rebuke the devourer for our sakes. (Malachi 3:10-12)
King Solomon, the son of David, asked the LORD for wisdom instead of asking for riches, fame or the lives of his enemies. (1 Kings 3) He became the richest man on earth because it pleased the LORD that he asked not for worldly things.
Proverbs 3:13-16
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
1 Corinthians 1:30
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
Isn't that awesome? Jesus is your wisdom from God! The more you realized that you are in Christ, the more life (the resurrection life of Christ) will flow in you. Jesus is what you need Him to be.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. He is the true Source of all riches.
Therefore, in the many days to come, let us seek the Giver and not the gift.