Neville Turley

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

There are 800 verses on money in the Bible, 500 verses on prayer and fewer than 500 on faith. This does not mean that money is more important than faith and prayer.  In our society, as in Jesus time, money plays a key role in our daily life.

The old adage, “money talks” rings true throughout the ages. People judge others by their wealth and the possessions that their money can buy. Money, or the lack of it, dictates our circumstances and our life choices. Hardly surprising then that the Bible has so much to say about money.

There is nothing wrong with having money. It is a wonderful blessing to be in a position to be able to use money to the glory of God. It enables one to go the extra mile in carrying out the work God has laid in your heart to support.

It is not money in itself, but the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. The pursuit of money for our own enrichment and gratification can cost us dear.

The Bible warns us of the consequences of financial greed. “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

It is very sombre advice. There will always be people who will be tempted to chase the money god. If only they would heed the warning of Jesus in our verse for today.  They would have such peace in their soul.

Prayer: Heavenly Father: grant us grace to obediently follow your will and not our own selfish desires. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us in our resolve to bring glory to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen