The Root of All Evil

It seems as though many of the TV channels I have relied on for documentaries have turned to reality programs as a means of garnering bigger ratings.


Not surprisingly, many of these programs incorporate greed as a driving force.

Thinking about this reminded me of an experience I had many years ago.

I was invited to a party at a private home.

The husband and wife hosting the party were both extremely nice.

It was obvious from their home and its furnishings that this couple had done quite well for themselves.

As I genuinely liked this couple I could not help but feel happy for them.

As the celebration went on, I happened to overhear a conversation that two of their guests were having as they paused behind me.

One said, "If I owned all of this, I could finally be happy."

The guest he said this to agreed with him.

I could not disagree more.

Wealth and possessions do not bring happiness.

The pursuit of wealth and possessions often makes true happiness difficult, perhaps even impossible. to obtain.

We have heard it said that money is the root of all evil.

We have even heard that this can be found in the Bible.

That is not exactly true.

Here is what the Bible really says...

1 Timothy 6:10 (NET) - For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

It is not money that is the problem, rather, it is the love of money.

Scripture provides us with many examples of this.

In the twelfth chapter of John, Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with an expensive aromatic ointment made of pure nard.

Judas chastised her by stating that the oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor.

John tells us what really motivated Judas.

John 12:6 (NET) - Now Judas said this not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money box, he used to steal what was put into it.

What did Jesus say about Mary’s action.

John 12:7 (NET) - So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept it for the day of my burial."

Mary showed that she cared more about Jesus than she cared about money.

In the fifth chapter of Acts, we read of a man named Ananias and his wife Sapphira.

Ananias sold a piece of property and withheld some of the money with his wife’s knowledge.

Peter reminded Ananias that this was a lie to the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:3 (NET) - But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land?

Ananias paid for this lie with his life as he collapsed and died.

Three hours later, Sapphira continued her husband’s lie.

She then paid with her life in a similar way.

The love of money or possessions is a barrier that separates us from real happiness.

Even worse, it separates us from God.

God both demands and deserves to be first in our lives.

When we place more value on money or possessions than we do on God, we practice idolatry.

God makes His feelings very clear regarding this.

Exodus 20:3 (NET) - You shall have no other gods before me.

When we place God first, He helps us prioritize everything else.

That includes money and the possessions it will buy.

Placing God first in our lives is the real key to happiness.



Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, August 24, 2012.
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I’ll be back here on Friday, August 31, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.