Articles
He didn’t say, you will fail
I always like to see the other side of the lessons that we are taught in God’s word. In other words, not only see what is said but notice what is not said. A classic example of this is found in I Timothy 6:9,10. Paul wrote, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
When you examine this text closely, nowhere does it state that if you seek to be rich, you will fail. It doesn’t say such. Of course, the point Paul was making to Timothy would not change one bit either way. If a person desires to be rich and has a love of money, he will fall into the same snares and harmful lusts, whether he succeeds or fails to become rich.
In truth, it may be harder to accept this if one achieves his goal to become rich. After all, what negatives can be attached to someone who sets out to become rich and makes it? One of the main snares is if this person is religious, then he might have a difficult time giving to the Lord as he has prospered. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus reveals how the rich have a problem in giving as they ought. When you are rich, there is a tendency to compare what you give to others. In the story, these wealthy people gave more than the two mites the poor widow gave. Yet, the widow gave way more. How is that possible? When you don’t have a love for money, you give with a right attitude and the proper amount (II Cor. 9:6-7)
It isn’t just the snare of not giving as one should but also the price paid to obtain one’s riches. People forsake worship, personal Bible study and prayers to become wealthy. Family responsibilities are often overlooked also, not to mention the sin of covetousness, and the simple attitude of, eat, drink and be merry (Eph. 5:3; I Tim. 5:8; Heb. 10:25; Lk. 12:19-20).
Remember, whether you are rich or poor, the love of money can and will cost you your salvation.
