Nobody Died This Week
Friend 1: “Why are you crying and seems so sad my friend?”
Friend 2: “You know, my uncle died two weeks ago and he left me a gift of 200,000 pesos.”
Friend 1: “Wow! So, why are you still crying? You should be happy… I’m sorry for what happened to your uncle but I think you should be glad.”
Friend 2: “Not only that; last week my cousin died and she left me a gift of 500,000 pesos as my inheritance because we were best of friends.”
Friend 1: “What? O my goodness! You are so blessed my friend. If I were you, I’ll dance for joy… I mean… for what you received. Stop crying and rejoice! Let’s celebrate. Buy me a treat.”
Friend 1: “You don’t get it. I am crying because look, nobody died this week!”
Is money the root of all evil? Many will say, “Yes,” but before you think again, I would like to remind you that in order to live in this world, we need money. In fact, because of the recent unprecedented increases of oil prices, all the basic commodities followed. And consumers suffered the most because we don’t have a choice but to continue buying, spending and consuming, for us to live and survive. And guess what? We need money to buy all that we need. Again, let me ask you, “Is money the root of all evil?” Of course not at all! George Bernard Shaw once said, “The lack of money is the root of all evil.” Somewhat, there is truth in his statement because what do you think would cause poor people to steal?
Again and again we hear stories of people who would join a gang of kidnappers, hold-uppers and would kill others for the reason of not having enough money for themselves. So, the lack of money can be a root of doing evil. But do you know what God said the real root of evil? According to His word, “the love of money is the root of all evil.” Chinkee Tan, in his book aptly entitled, Till Debt Do Us Part: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom said, “The love of money is the root of all evil. The love of money more than your family. The love of money more than yourself. The love of money more than your character, your integrity. The love of money more than relationship – that is the root of all evil.”
In other words, we should have a right perspective when it comes to money. Practically speaking, we need money to live but we should not make it the center of our being. We should guard our hearts from the love of money. The Bible calls it greed! As an adage says, “Selfish people are never happy, for all they want they get, except true happiness.” Truth is, the love of money will not make us truly happy. In the same way, we should also guard our minds and hearts from worrying about money. Many people wasted great amount of time worrying about their finances.
It’s true that we need to think of and plan for our finances; where to get and how to increase our income; learn how to budget, save and invest; plan to get out of debt and be financially free. But we should not be anxious and stay worried day in and day out concerning money. After doing all that we can do, we can rest assured that if we put our trust in the Lord (who owns everything), He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. We should heed the encouragement of Jesus when He said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothe to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-27, 33 (NLT).
Do you have enough money for all your needs? Thank God for that. Do you have more than enough money than you could spend? Be a blessing to others by extending help and meet other people’s needs. And the Lord who sees what you are doing will bless you with more! On the contrary, do you need more money to meet all your needs? My suggestion is you trust the Lord, seek first His rulership and His righteousness. Do not worry but pray. Learn to wait and don’t be grumpy but be happy, for His answer for your prayers is on the way! I hope our story above made you laugh.
Beware of greed, it will not satisfy you. As we guard our hearts against worrying of not having enough money, we should likewise watch out that we won’t be greedy. Let us not waste our time worrying about money but let us put our trust in the great Provider and Source of all things, that He is able to supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ.