For 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 griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10
We all familiar with the scripture posted above. And although we may all be familiar with that scripture, most people still somehow develop a nasty love for money that usually lands them in trouble with God.
Do you still think that it’s not a big deal to love money? Think about all the crimes that people commit for their love of money: stealing, selling drugs, prostitution, and the abandonment of one’s principles for money and fame. These are things that we see daily in society, and none of the situations end well. It’s apparent that the love of money gets a lot of people in some serious trouble.
God does not despise money, He just thinks that money should not be valued above keeping His commandments. As a believer, you have to make sure that you understand ALL of God’s viewpoints on money. There is much more to the bible than God’s apparent warning of developing a dangerous obsession with money.
Did you know that debt is also a sin that God warns against?
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”
Proverbs 21:5
It means God believes in SAVING, not BORROWING. If you can’t be patient and save your money for the things you desire, you will surely end up in more debt than you can pay off. In this scripture, God is even more clear in his belief in the power of saving:
“The LORD will open for you His abundant storehouse, the sky, to give your land rain in its season and to bless all the work of your hands. (A) You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. 13 The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward if you listen to the LORD your God’s commands I am giving you today and are careful to follow.”
Deuteronomy 28:12-13
And contrary to what most people think, God does not require that his people remain poor. For if you are poor, how can you lend to those in need? Money makes it possible for believers to help the ones who need it most. God doesn’t mind that nice car or big house that you might have, but if you don’t help the poor, you are going against everything that the Father is truly about.
If you work hard, you might find wealth. And while that is a great thing, you shouldn’t forget that money does not hold more value than people. Money doesn’t solve all problems and money surely does not make someone better than someone who may have lesser than. In fact, God is against anyone who feels the need to belittle or take advantage of the poor just because they have accumulated wealth:
“He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
He is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 17:5
If you adhere to God’s commandments about money, you will live a giving and very prosperous life. Give to those in need, lend but don’t borrow, and never make money the head of your life when God should be.