| Cross Words: The Money Pit |
Richard Prow ~ rpcrosswords@gmail.com
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I have used this column space to discuss mankind’s lust for money on more than a few occasions because sometimes it’s necessary to drive a point home more than once. Jesus certainly felt that way, given that He spoke on the subject of money more often that He spoke about hell. I suspect His underlying reason was that an obsession with money rather than an obsession with God would ultimately lead someone to that unsavory place. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24).
Those words were true then and they ring just as true today. People do worship money. Oh we might not build a literal altar to it, or bow down before large stacks of it, or sing songs about it, but worship it we do. We check the stock reports every hour. We make lists of what we’ll buy if we pick the right lotto numbers. Some of us even dream about it. Sadly, most think about money a lot more than they ever think about God.
Money affects our behavior. Good days and bad days are determined by our financial standing. Suicide is debated and sometimes decided on because of a down- turn in the dollar’s standing. Jealousy and covetousness step front and center into our hearts and minds when we encounter someone who has more than we do. We are smitten by it and held hostage by it all at the same time.
What is especially troubling is that this same attitude has steamrolled through the doors of the church. Many preachers have created a pseudo spiritual Power Ball where everyone with enough faith holds the lucky ticket. Just show up and put a few dollars in the offering plate - or call in with your credit card number - and wait upon your tenfold reward.
Satan tried to offer Jesus the riches of the entire world. He turned it down (Matt. 4:8-10). He knew the danger of becoming more enamored with money than with the Father.
I’m not saying it’s a sin to have money, spend money, enjoy money. Just make sure to put it in it’s proper place. After all, if you’ve found forgiveness and eternal life in a relationship with God, you already are rich beyond means.
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