Crossroads: Money does matter

We all tend to accept that these sayings are both real and true.

And yet, they are not.

The first two mentioned above don’t exist at all in the Bible, nowhere, no matter how hard you look.

I even have a deep and long held suspicion that the first one about “cleanness is next to Godliness” may well have been invented by mothers and not the Apostles.

The last one, about money and evil, is a misquote as it really reads: “The love of money is the root to all sorts of evil”, not all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10)

The salient point from this Bible verse is about what happens if we love money, and if we have concern for it more then we should.

The point is well taken, as money does matter, especially what we do with it and how we treat it.

The issue is when it becomes more important than friendships and relationships with each other, and when it affects our relationship with God.

If the love of money can be the root of all sorts of evil, what should be our response to it?

What does God’s word have to say about how we use our money and finances?

While God’s word has a fair bit to say on finances, and on giving, there is one passage I particularly want to highlight, and it says: “ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”. (2 Cor. 9:7)

This passage tells us that our motive behind our giving is very important, not being forced to give but to do so out of love, as God loves a cheerful giver.

We shouldn’t love money, but we should have a grateful heart as we give in love.

In a world where we can have an attitude of get as much as you can, for as little as possible, how refreshing it is for someone, anyone, everyone, to give with thankfulness, to give in the help and support of others.

Yes, our money does matter, but not within itself. It is rather how we treat it and use it is which is what really counts.

Major Greg Turnbull, Campaspe Shire Salvos