Money is not evil. It is morally neutral. Money can be used for good,
such as supporting missionaries or building hospitals. It also can be used for
evil, such as financing illegal drugs and pornography.
Examine 1 Timothy 6:10 carefully: “The love of money is a root of all
sorts of evil.” The Bible does not condemn money itself, only the misuse of or
a wrong attitude toward money. Moreover, particularly in the Old Testament,
many of the godliest people were among the wealthiest people of the day. Job,
Abraham and David were all wealthy, and yet they did not allow wealth to
interfere with their relationship with the Lord.
Nevertheless, Scripture warns that riches can destroy a spiritually
fruitful life. “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the
man who hears the word, and the worry of the world, and the deceitfulness of
riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22).
Also, it is easy for those who are rich to turn away from God. “For
when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to
their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous,
then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My
covenant” (Deuteronomy 13:20). Someone once observed, “For every 99 people who
can be poor and remain close to Christ, only one can become wealthy and
maintain close fellowship with Him.” It must be human nature to cling to the
Lord when it’s obvious that only He can provide our needs. Once people become
wealthy, they often take the Lord for granted because they no longer think they
have as much need of Hiim.
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