IT'S NOT WORTH IT: THE LOVE OF MONEY

Dearly beloved, I welcome you in the name of the Lord into the last quarter of this year 2020. May this last quarter be to you that which the Lord Himself has structured for you in Jesus name. This month I will be talking to you on what I titled “THE LOVE OF MONEY.” 

The bible says in 1st Timothy 6:10, “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.” In the above scripture, Paul identifies the love of money as a factor that leads many Christians to go astray from the faith. However, the Bible did not say money is evil; rather, it is the love of it that is evil. 

The Love of money is a sin just like lust and is common to all men, Christians and non-Christians alike. While lust is a strong sexual desire for the opposite sex, the love of money is sort of strong desire people have for money. Those who love money or lovers of money are those who are willing to do anything for the sake of money without considering the morality of it. Hence they do not mind killing, stealing, embezzling, kidnapping, bullying others with the intent of making money and they do not feel any compunction for the wrong things they do. Pause a little bit and check out all the evil activities going on in our world today, you will find out that they all link to the love of money. People steal for the love of money, kidnapping is done for the love of money, and fraudulent activities are all done for love of money. Tons of people involve in prostitution for the love of money. I could go on and on to trace lots of evil things people do for the love of money. That’s why it all goes down to the foundation of the scripture which says “The love of money is the root of all evil.” 

We live in an era where the race for wealth and worldly possessions has increased beyond imagination. At a time when the church and individuals are supposed to sincerely prepare for the second coming of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, unfortunately the devil has used the desire for wealth to deceive many. It has so gotten bad, that in our world children use themselves or even their parents for sacrifices, just to amass wealth. This is shameful and devilish, it is from the pit of hell. One of the most hurtful act of the love of money was committed in the life of Jesus, when one of His disciples betrayed Him for thirty silver pieces (Matthew 26:15). Even until now that act of betrayal has been reenacted over and over again even in the church. 

In 1st Timothy 6:9, the Bible says, “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.” Listen, it is not wrong for us to crave to be wealthy because God has given us the power to make wealth as the scripture says in Deuteronomy 8:18: But those that will be rich in this context refers to those who want to break the natural law and protocols of achieving wealth. We know that there are set down principles to become wealthy when done with a genuine heart of love and sincerity. The principle includes; paying your tithe, offering, seed sowing, hard work, generosity, patience etc. But those that will be rich will want to bypass these principles. Bypassing these principles many fall into the temptation of getting involved in things that do not glorify God. 

Jesus Christ appointed for Himself twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-4). At that time, people contributed money to help Jesus’ ministry and the money was kept in a bag that was entrusted to Judas Iscariot. More or less, he was the treasurer. Judas was doing the job but there was something else about Judas that was not fine and it affected the quality of his service. Judas Iscariot had a weakness, a bad character; it was his greed for money. Sooner or later, his weakness began to unfold. Judas began to steal money from the money bag that was in his care, John 12:6 says, “This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” Eventually, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to His death and he also committed suicide and could not spend the money that he betrayed his master for. Think about his end. 

Many people now live in luxury because of the money they made in an ungodly way. If you admire or desire to be like them, then you are guilty, “While many covet after, they have erred from the faith.” The Bible says in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of The LORD, it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it.” According to the law of reversal of scriptures, when the blessing is not of the Lord, it maketh poor and lots and addeth lots of sorrow with it. 

Beloved, the Bible says in Proverbs 23:4, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.” Attaining wealth by your own wisdom will get you no where, but pain and eventually disappointment. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12). Brethren, I declare unto you a more excellent way, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”- Matthew 6:33. Genuinely follow and love god and be lost in service unto Him and all that the gentiles seek will be an addition in your life. 

God bless you. See you next month.