The insidious craving for money

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).

The love of money is insidious. How many career professionals put in long hours at work while ignoring the emotional needs of spouse and children? The love of money can lead to delinquency and divorce. How many entrepreneurs got successful in business by paying bribes, telling lies, or using unethical business practices in order to beat the competition? Look at all the people hurt by Bernie Madoff, people who lost their life savings because they were only numbers in his business ledger.

Sinful use of money can be a subtle, sneaky thing. Take gambling. How many people, desperate for cash, throw away what little they have in hopes of winning it big? Gambling can become addictive. Think of all the wedding rings have been pawned for a visit to the casino. Think of the children who have been left outside in hot cars while Mom or Dad were inside, focused only on gambling. The desire for money can be so consuming that even those precious to you are temporarily forgotten.

Or consider shopping. Shopping has become the Great American Pastime. Instead of gathering for an afternoon of playing cards or going to watch a sporting event, visiting the store has become a recreational activity. But if you go shopping when you don’t need to, problems result. Store managers take great pains to make sure you don’t leave the premises empty-handed. Placement, display, and pricing are all designed to make you want something desperately or at least make a purchase because you got such a good deal. But getting things you don’t really need diverts your money from other things—saving for retirement, giving to charity, or supporting the work of missionaries. Constant shopping only fills you with constant desire for more, making it almost impossible to be content with what God has given you.

Jesus warned, No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money (Matthew 6:24). Money urges us to spend our resources on pleasure; God wants us to devote our resources to honoring our Creator and caring for the needs of our fellow man. Don’t let money dictate your priorities—you cannot put a price tag on the relationships that give life its worth.