Getting It Right!

I have heard the statement made that a “little” knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Perhaps you have met people who knew just enough Bible to be able to boldly “misquote” it. For example, the claim has frequently been made that the Bible states “Money is the root of all evil!” Certainly the possession of wealth creates its challenges. Even Jesus mentioned the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom. (i.e. Matthew 19:23-24) However, is it the money on which the fault really rests? We live in a society which appears to eagerly seek somewhere else to place the blame for the challenges of life when the real culprit is closer than they might want to admit.

Noting the right statement as Paul gave it we read…
“For THE LOVE OF MONEY is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” ( 1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)

At THE HEART of the problem is exactly that -- THE HEART. And this challenge is not only to the rich, but to the poor as well who also can develop a love for money. The root of evil most often is simply a love that is misdirected. (note Paul’s list in 2 Timothy 3:1-5) The remedy would then be to have a change of HEART so as to possess a rightly focused love.

Is there a way in which we might say love and money should be connected?
Consider the following statement: “LOVE OF THE RIGHT USE OF MONEY is the root of much good.” [source: “sentence sermons”] No, that is not a quotation from the Bible. However, it is on target with the kind of HEART Paul exhorted Timothy to encourage the rich toward.

Paul wrote…
“(17) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (18) They are TO DO GOOD, to BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, to BE GENEROUS and READY TO SHARE, (19) thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” ( 1 Timothy 6:17-19
ESV)

Whether we have much or little, let us be certain to focus our HEART on the right use of whatever we possess. Keeping the HEART right will aid us in holding a right perspective of everything else.

Have a great day KEEPING OUR LOVE RIGHT ON TARGET!
Carl

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