"In the last days perilous times will come; for men will be lovers of money" (2 Tim 3:2).

Money was in use as early as Abraham's days in the form of silver (Gen 23:13,15).  Even at that time he was extremely cautious not to fall victim to the lust of money.  When the king of Sodom offered the entire booty to him, he said, "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abraham rich.' He had expected this offer and had barricaded himself from avarice by promising the Lord that he would take nothing from the king of Sodom (Gen 14:21-23). 

How far are we from the standard of Abraham?  I might have prayed to God for a good share of the booty.  I would have praised God when the entire wealth was offered.  "What if the king of Sodom boasts that he made me rich?" would have been my argument.  I would have testified how God made me rich and might have planned some philanthropic projects.  Let us set our standards straight by Abraham's scale.  No wonder Abraham became a friend and close confidante of God Almighty (Gen 18:17).  He acknowledged God as the Possessor of heaven and earth, from which he received his strength and boldness to make that confession.  What teaching did Abraham have on the love of money?  His conscience was his teacher.  Ask your conscience and it will tell you if you are a lover of money or not.  Job's hope was not his riches.  He didn't even rejoice about his wealth (Job 31:24,25).  He also had no teaching or Bible.  When King Belshazzar offered to clothe Daniel with purple and have a gold chain around his neck and be made the ruler in the kingdom, Daniel's reply was, "Keep your gifts to yourself, and give your rewards to another"(Dan 5:16,17).  What would have been our response to such an exorbitant offer?  We would have published the photographs in our magazine. We have ample examples of restraint for money like Elisha and Paul. 

Jesus came down heavily on the love of money.  His teaching was, "Blessed are the poor".  Why?  Because theirs will be the kingdom of God.  Why?  Because it is difficult for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God (Lk 18:24).  When many people of the baby church sold their possession and gave, Barnabas gets a special mention because he was a Levite.  Levites were not allotted a portion as for the other tribes.  So if Barnabas had some land it was his meagre possession, maybe gifted by someone.  Even that he sacrificed.  God could trust him for His sacrificial service (Acts 13:2). 

Immediately follows the story of the avarice of Ananias and Sapphira.  There was no hard and fast rule that they should give the whole amount.  Then why was his contribution considered a lie to the Holy Spirit?  He saw people sacrificing and giving.  He and his wife desired to join the ranks.  The picture that he gave to the public was that he gave the whole amount, while he kept back part of the price.  God looks at the heart.  So much of deceit was going on inside his heart which the Holy Spirit saw.  How carefully we have to guard our hearts which is most wicked.  How clandestine and sinister are satan's work within us.  Ananias allowed satan to "fill" his heart to lie and to deceive.  Rightly did the wise man say, "... everyone who is greedy for gain: it takes away the life of its owners", as we see in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Prov 1:19).  

Laban ran out to receive Abraham's servant.  What kicked him to dash out?  The jewels that his sister was wearing.  This character was reflected in his life when Jacob became his son-in-law.  Solomon got whatever he wanted.  Gradually he depended less and less on God.  That's the failure of success.  Jesus said, "No," to the devil's offer, having our salvation in mind.  Money-minded people do not care for souls.  18,813 crores lie unclaimed in our country Banks because many die without spending the money which they earned by their sweat. We cannot serve two bosses.  If money is our boss then God will be sidelined.  We will be driven by the lust for money rather than take the path God points to.  An unknown soldier writes, "I asked God for riches that I may be happy; I was given poverty that I may be wise." Does this remind you of the rich man who was a fool? (Luke 12:20). 

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, when they heard Jesus' teachings on money, rolled their eyes and dismissed Him as hopelessly out of touch (Luke 16:14).  They were bipolar --- loving prosperity and trying to love God.  For  them His teaching was not practical.  So they derided Him.  You know what Jesus told them who ridiculed Him? --- You are experts in showing  yourselves as holy people before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:9-15).  Note, that in continuation He spoke about the rich man and Lazarus (vv 19-31). Jesus said, "Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings (v9).  Use your wealth for the kingdom cause.  If you are faithful with your worldly goods God will certainly trust you with true riches (v 11).

Listen to what Mahatma Gandhi says in his book, India of my Dreams: "In India we have got many millions of people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day, and that meal consisting of chapati containing no fat in it and a pinch of salt.  You and I have no right to anything that we really have until you and I, who ought to know better, must adjust our wants, and even undergo voluntary privation, in order that they may be nursed, fed and clothed." In seeking quality life, we tend to forget the multitudes who have no life or anything worth calling life. Without lying to yourself, listen to the voice inside you and decide whether you are poor or moderate or rich.  If rich, plan some downsizing.

The previous generation had 5-10 children and educated them all by leading a simple life. But we, with our fat pay packet and small family, struggle.  Why?  We want to keep up with the Joneses.  The institution of the family has suffered major setbacks because of money-mindedness.  When the wife is abroad, the husband functions as the treasurer at the home front.  Or both work abroad leaving the children in hostels, whose tears  stain their pillows.  All for the sake of money.  This is totally unscriptural.  You may develop health problems like stress, headache, sleeplessness, etc.  You snap at the kids for nothing.   You are left with no time for unhurried prayer and Bible reading.  Life is no longer enjoyable. You will suddenly see the wasteland your life has become but then it will be too late.  The family should live together for a God-honouring healthy life.  So be content with a lesser income and lesser comforts.  Family is more important than money.  It is better to earn less and go to the park.  Now we are ten times richer but not ten times happier.  We must push hard against an age that is pushing hard against us.  I was brought up in luxury and my husband in poverty.  I see the disadvantages of luxury and the advantages of poverty in our lives.  We have been in both sides of the fence in our life.  George Lorimer said, "It's good to have money and the things money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure you haven't lost the things that money can't buy."

It is always good to remember that Jesus was not a rich man.  We need to earn our livelihood and save for the future.  That is practical wisdom.  But we should know when to say, "It is enough." Stamp the urge to hit the jackpot.  Covetousness makes you unhappy with what you have.  Do you have enough for a normal lifestyle now?  Then stop accumulating more and more.  At some point in life you should decide to stop making any more FDs.  How much is enough?  You lose your vision if you go after money.  Just think of Jesus whenever you are tempted. 

As we focus our telescopes towards the coming of the Lord, we can see satan rubbing his hands together with malicious glee, enjoying the sight of people stretching their hands for more and more, unaware of the signs of His Second Coming and slipping into his hidden trap.  Escape with all your might!

My God shall supply all your need (not greed) according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19).

Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
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  lilianstanley@gmail.com

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