Waynesboro Church Of Christ

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MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

March 25, 2007

You have too little of it. Maybe you have too much of it. You have to work for it. You have to save it. You have to spend it. You have to give it. There are a hundred things to do with money.

There are very few people that travel through this world in which money is not a concern. For the rest of us it is a major issue in life—how we manage our money. Many people are shocked that one of the most talked about issues that Jesus addressed while on earth was the use of wealth. God knows that money can be a source of conflict or joy. In fact many times money is a major problem in marriage—how do we handle it? Since money is such an important issue to us and to God, let us look at what the Bible says on the topic.

Every person has the responsibility to provide for his or her family. One of the reasons for a man going to work everyday is to earn a living to support his family: “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). Paul literally says that not providing for one’s family is just like not believing in Christ. Another command that Paul gives is for a man to work a honest job to provide for his family, but also make enough to give to those who are in need. Working for money is more than just looking after number one, but it is also earning enough to care for downtrodden. “Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need” (Eph. 4:28).

Every person is commanded to earn a living to provide for first his family and second to those in need. But this can get out of hand and turn into a simple materialistic pursuit. This hunt for money can turn into idolatry. This is so because of the false security that one receives from possessions. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon 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 or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). Remember it is acceptable to have money; God does not condemn this. God rebukes those that are seduced by the love of money. “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang” (1 Tim. 6:10).

Money is a necessary item in life. We are even commanded to work for money. But we must remember that money is not the goal in life but simply a means to providing for and helping others.