1st Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 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. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
This passage of scripture teaches us a very important truth in life, one that affects billions of individuals around the world, and one that should be understood in the context of the principles and practices upon which all Christians should build their characters for eternity. The love of money is what is responsible for all evil, according to the Bible, and because of this it has become the reigning god in places high and low. It causes companies to manufacture products which they know will do more harm than good, and to include ingredients that will produce cancer and other ailments in humans.
It causes some of these very companies to then invest heavily in drugs that are purported as cures for the evils they themselves have set in motion. Many people will be surprised to find that some of the larger food chains and those that produce beverages that are detrimental to health, are the very ones who own stocks in the big pharmaceutical companies, and so a deadly game of musical chairs is played with the health of millions. The problem is not only restricted to food and drug companies, but it is also responsible for satanic practices by which people actually benefit in the real world. The practice of beating the lowest price is a satanic principle based solely on the love of money, and the spirit of fierce competition to eliminate one's rivals. Thus corporations are willing to actually suffer loss, to dominate the markets in which they compete.
On a more individual level, it causes covetousness to blossom into outright fraud and stealing, as is manifested in the hacking of our personal data by cyber bandits, who are hell bent on using stolen credit information to drain the bank accounts of unsuspecting millions, and it is the same love of money that causes "Dead people" to be filing tax returns, to the tune of six billion dollars this year alone, and counting. The problem is not that money is in and of itself evil, but rather the inordinate pursuit of gain which drives individuals and corporations to do the unthinkable, which then produces an insatiable thirst for more and more money, a craving that renders some persons insensitive to the needs and rights of others. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
This passage in proverbs brings us to the current indictments being leveled against the executives at FIFA, the world body governing the world's greatest sport. For years, innocent patrons and fans believed that the sport was being conducted in a fair and balanced manner, but with the new revelations now making headlines, it is found that the love of money as practiced by these corrupt officials, caused untold millions to be embezzled and appropriated for their own personal use, and in the process, many awards and games were probably "Fixed". But the word of God stands true for all who put their trust in its sacred utterances, because it also faithfully delineates the results of such courses of action, when the love of money is made to dominate the thoughts and actions of men. Let's read:
Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
In our own experiences as Christians, it is imperative that we adopt the sacred principles of God's word in regard to the handling of money, and we indeed need to be very careful, lest the practices of the world imperceptibly infiltrate our hearts and minds. If God has blessed us with increase of material or financial wealth, our thoughts should not then be overly consumed with spending lavishly upon ourselves, with no thought for the interests of the kingdom of God, or no consideration for the less fortunate amongst us.
This protracted and inward looking view of the use of money will drive us to use others as stepping stones, and will develop the practice of hoarding, which is forbidden in the scriptures. Benevolence, contentment, frugality, honest labor, and seeking God first in everything we do, think, or say, will greatly forestall any efforts by satan to overthrow our faith through the practice of covetousness, and we will be enabled to live untainted in a world where money reigns as king.
We therefore end with two passages of scripture which encourage us to be content with such things as God has provided, and whenever He blesses us with extras, may our thoughts be of God and others first, instead of self taking precedence. Let's read:
1st Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!