While I was working on another blog entry I came across the following verse from Ecclesiastes 5:10: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” This axiom is so true. One can never be satisfied by seeking after any worldly thing, including money.
Unfortunately, money always seems to have too much control over people’s lives. The desire for money is one of Satan’s most powerful tools in today’s world. We live in a society that teaches that the success of a man is measured by the amount of money a man makes, not the character of a man. American society has become obsessed with things: bigger homes, nicer cars, and fancier clothes. While none of these things are inherently wrong, placing these things above God is wrong.
It certainly is not sinful to have money or to even be wealthy. In fact, many righteous men of the Bible were wealthy including Abraham (Genesis 13:2) and Job (Job 1:3). The problem with money arises when it becomes more important than the Lord. Money, like many different things in this modern world, can become an idol. One should be very careful about their attitude toward money. People should not want to ever place money or the desire for money above the Lord. One should always remember 1st Timothy 6:10: “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.” The Christian should always be seeking after the Lord first in his life.
Returning to the opening thought of this blog, it is imperative to note that true satisfaction and contentment in life can only be found in God and serving Him. The Christian’s contentment should not be based on any earthly situation. Remember the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11-12, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”