$ Love of Money $

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  I Timothy 6:10

If it is thought about carefully, the love of money (or something that is valued) is the root of all evil. Money itself has no value.  It is just paper, metal, or something that gives power or the ability to get what one wants. The value and power that it enables people to have is what makes it coveted after.

The sin of coveting is what has brought and will continue to bring many heartaches and hardships.  All sin has a price tag that few want to pay when payment time is due.  Coveting is no exception, and it has brought:

• Robberies
• Murders
• Wars
• Cheating – one wants grades they don’t have
• Lies – want others to think they are what they are not
• Taxes – to get from others,money that someone wants
• Sexual crimes – to get what they do not have
• Adultery – to get someone they do not have
• Most crimes and sins.

People can covet money, fame, clothing, toys, houses, bicycles, things, education, and to be like someone else. No matter the popularity, coveting is still sin according to God’s word: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” Exodus 20:17 Also: Deuteronomy 5:21, Romans 13:9.

Much of our American economy is based on man’s sin of coveting.  Many businesses know of man’s tendency to covet and try to make money from it.  The television industry thrives on the money it makes for the ads it sells.  Each one of these ads is aimed at convincing the audience that there is something better and more wonderful than what they have. They know that getting people discontent with what they have is the key to a sale. Store displays, street signs, and even celebrities displaying something new and different, that we do not have, often make us want that item.

With all the things we have coveted, not one of the things we did obtain has ever given us total contentment.  We always want something else.  Perhaps we just got a new car, but the ad about a new Cadillac has us drooling for another that is shinier, faster, and will “make us more popular.”  Our lust to covet is insatiable — “…so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Proverb 27:20!

Since things, life-changes, life-styles, or anything we can obtain will never diminish our desire to have more, what can one do to have joy and happiness? The Bible’s solution is for all to be content with what they have, and who they are. Be happy with what God has allowed you to have or experience!

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” I Timothy 6:8
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Hebrews 13:5

“Money is an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except Heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness.”