Bella Vista Church of Christ

LIFELINES

11/11/2020

Roger D. Campbell

 

Plain Truth About Money

 

  Small children are often fascinated with money because it is shiny and small enough to go into their mouths.

 

  Then they reach a time when they learn that money has the power,  power to buy things. That becomes a reason for them to Like Money. In their teen years, their thinking can be dominated by a desire to possess money to impress others or to buy things that dad and mom will not buy for them.

 

  As adults? Suffice it to say that a lot of us are fond of money!... Yes?

 

  Money in and of itself possesses no moral quality. It is neither righteous nor unrighteous. It's an inanimate object, a means or a tool that can be traded for something else, some good, some bad.

 

  Truth is, it is our attitude toward money that adds an element of morality. Consider the following six truths about money. May they serve as a reminder and warning for us all...

 

  Money cannot buy Love.  Back in the 1960's, the Beatles say, "I don't care too much for money, 'cause money can't buy me love.'" It was true then; it is true now! Money may impress and attract folks to a money-possessing individual, but money does not buy genuine love.

 

  Money does not grow on trees. How many times did our parents tell us that when we wanted something we could not afford? Because it is truth that we cannot get money by snapping our fingers, we need to be good stewards with the funds that God has placed in our hands. ("Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful" 1 Corinthians 4.2.) Paul wrote, "owe no one anything" (Romans 13.8). Christians ought not to get themselves into debt that they cannot pay.

 

  Money is not the root of all evil. Scripture tells us that it is the Love of Money: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1Timothy 6.10). The love of money is covetousness, and covetousness is idolatry. Paul wrote in Colossians 3.5, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." A love affair with riches has ruined friendships, marriages, even congregations.

 

  Money cannot save a soul. Yes, money can be used to support Gospel Preaching. Paul says: "I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so" (2 Corinthians 11.8-9). Money can be an instrument to edify the faithful, but it cannot save.

 

  Money cannot accompany us when we leave this world. Regardless of how much one has, money stays behind—We cannot take it with us. "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6.7).

 

  Money is not success, and success is not possessing it. Oh, if we could only help folk to see this! Some rich people will go to hell. Some poor folk will go to heaven. One's eternal destiny is not determined by financial status. Listen to what the Lord told Joshua about genuine success: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Joshua 1.8).

 

  Let each of us resolve to accept these truths about money, and beware of the "deceitfulness of Riches" (Mark 4.19).

 

—Roger D. Campbell

    Chattanooga TN