Money, is it Evil or Can it be Good?
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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We have all heard that money is the root of all evil. 1 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. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Jesus addressed it: Mark 4 18. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. As you can see, we have to be careful or things and/or money can end up ruling our lives because we then have a new god and it is not the true God. I have seen all kinds of ways where money has ruined people. A family divided in court over a loved one's will, or fighting over position in the family. It is not just money but things as well - jewelry, furniture, clothes, idols, and so on. What gets me is that there is no amount of money in the world that can make you healthy. Yes, it can help pay for doctors, medicines, or nutritional supplements to keep you healthy, but only through God can you really be healthy all the time. Money can by some limited happiness for a short time only, but not true joy. Money and items are fleeting, look at what Jesus said: Matthew 6 19. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mamon. 25. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27. Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29. And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. God could not even trust us to give rightly, so He had to address an issue we should have been willing and happy to do anyway in consideration of what He has given us. Malachi 3 9. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. 12. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. Matthew 19 16. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the comandments. 18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not comit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28. And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Don't think Jesus had nothing. His robe must have been very nice for the guards to cast lots for it when they would usually just tear it into equal parts to share it . Matthew 27 35. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Now the church uses this against the body, to make us feel guilty. Not all, but a lot of churches have stated: Matthew 5 3. Blessed are the poor: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When actually Jesus said: Matthew 5 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. By leaving off the "in spirit" it makes us think it is better to be poor. When God wants to us to prosper in all areas. 3 John 1 2. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers! Hebrews 11 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Matthew 6 33. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. God does not want you to go without. He wants you to be constantly blessed! He wants you to own the things, and use money as an instrument, instead of the things owning you or the money controlling you. You can be a much bigger blessing to many, many more who are in need if you are blessed financially. In this day and time it requires money to buy food and you can buy a lot more food for a lot more people if you have the financial where with all to share with others. Just remember to ask the Lord where to give it and to whom. Most often He will not expect you to give it ALL away, but He does not expect you to KEEP it all either. Listen to Him and know what to do. Some feel led to distribute every extra dime, while others feel led to give a percentage and save a percentage. Everyone's circumstances are different. Some need to provide for family members; others may not have that as a consideration. Jesus knows your needs and He would never expect you to suffer…He did that FOR us so we would not have to.
My prayer for you is: 3 John 1 2.
Remember to show faith when you pray, then praise and give thanks.
God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.
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