A masked man approaches me with what appears to be a very sharp knife.
Is this a good thing or a bad? It depends, doesn't it? If I'm in the
hospital with a badly infected appendix, then it's a blessing that a
skilled surgeon is about to remove it. But if I'm walking down a dark
street late at night, I don't want to see a sharp knife headed my way.
Money is another example of "it depends". Some might immediately
disagree, quoting the Bible as saying "money is the root of all evil".
Before you say "Amen", though, may I remind you that the Bible doesn't
say that. Paul wrote that "the love of money is a root of all kinds
of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). One can possess money without loving it.
Nancy Gibbs wrote an interesting editorial in the February 22, 2010
issue of "Time" magazine. In "Doing Good Badly" she writes about
misguided efforts to help others in times of disaster. She pointed to
clothing that had been sent to the victims of the tsunami in 2004.
Articles included a Santa suit, high heeled shoes and evening gowns.
How helpful were those kinds of things for people picking up the
pieces of their lives?!
Gibbs then made this point: "Money is fleet and nimble. The very
thing that makes it unsatisfying to give makes it powerful to deploy.
It can turn into anything - a water bottle, a prefab house, a tetanus
shot, a biscuit. It lets relief agencies buy locally whenever
possible, supporting local markets for products that are culturally
and environmentally right" (p. 134). Instead of sending that T-shirt
from your trip to the Grand Canyon, send money; that will buy things
the victims really need.
Even Jesus pointed to the fact that money can be a blessing. In Luke
16:9 He said this: "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by
unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an
everlasting home." Another translation of that verse makes the point
clearer: "I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and
make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you
in heaven" (New Living Translation).
No, Jesus isn't talking about buying friendship. Those who attempt to
use their money in that way sooner or later find out how futile such
pursuits can be. The prodigal son of Luke 15 had friends while he had
money. When the money ran out he searched in vain for those pals.
Using our resources to help others, however, usually wins true
friends. When others see that we care enough about their needs to
open our wallets, they learn to trust us. Occasions of suffering can
lead to deep relationships when love and compassion respond.
For what shall we use our money? Only for ourselves? In that
scenario money becomes a curse (just read 1 Timothy 6:10 again for
confirmation of that). We can turn it into a blessing, though, by
following the words of Jesus: "... but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also" (Matthew 6:20,21).
As someone once said, "Money can be either a harsh master or a
valuable servant." It's our choice.
Timothy D. Hall.
Is this a good thing or a bad? It depends, doesn't it? If I'm in the
hospital with a badly infected appendix, then it's a blessing that a
skilled surgeon is about to remove it. But if I'm walking down a dark
street late at night, I don't want to see a sharp knife headed my way.
Money is another example of "it depends". Some might immediately
disagree, quoting the Bible as saying "money is the root of all evil".
Before you say "Amen", though, may I remind you that the Bible doesn't
say that. Paul wrote that "the love of money is a root of all kinds
of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). One can possess money without loving it.
Nancy Gibbs wrote an interesting editorial in the February 22, 2010
issue of "Time" magazine. In "Doing Good Badly" she writes about
misguided efforts to help others in times of disaster. She pointed to
clothing that had been sent to the victims of the tsunami in 2004.
Articles included a Santa suit, high heeled shoes and evening gowns.
How helpful were those kinds of things for people picking up the
pieces of their lives?!
Gibbs then made this point: "Money is fleet and nimble. The very
thing that makes it unsatisfying to give makes it powerful to deploy.
It can turn into anything - a water bottle, a prefab house, a tetanus
shot, a biscuit. It lets relief agencies buy locally whenever
possible, supporting local markets for products that are culturally
and environmentally right" (p. 134). Instead of sending that T-shirt
from your trip to the Grand Canyon, send money; that will buy things
the victims really need.
Even Jesus pointed to the fact that money can be a blessing. In Luke
16:9 He said this: "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by
unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an
everlasting home." Another translation of that verse makes the point
clearer: "I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and
make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you
in heaven" (New Living Translation).
No, Jesus isn't talking about buying friendship. Those who attempt to
use their money in that way sooner or later find out how futile such
pursuits can be. The prodigal son of Luke 15 had friends while he had
money. When the money ran out he searched in vain for those pals.
Using our resources to help others, however, usually wins true
friends. When others see that we care enough about their needs to
open our wallets, they learn to trust us. Occasions of suffering can
lead to deep relationships when love and compassion respond.
For what shall we use our money? Only for ourselves? In that
scenario money becomes a curse (just read 1 Timothy 6:10 again for
confirmation of that). We can turn it into a blessing, though, by
following the words of Jesus: "... but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do
not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also" (Matthew 6:20,21).
As someone once said, "Money can be either a harsh master or a
valuable servant." It's our choice.
Timothy D. Hall.
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