LOVING JESUS MORE THAN RICHES
Jesus loves enough to have died for us while we were yet sinners (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). And he has great desire to have a loving relationship with us, wherein we love him more than anything in the world (Matthew 22:37). Nevertheless, the Bible tells us there are many things of the world that may contend for our love; but the “love of money” may be the greatest contender (I John 2:15-16; 2 Timothy 6:10). Yet, the Lord says if we delight in him more than anything else, he will give us the desires of our heart (Matthew 6:33, Psalm 37:4).
MONEY AND POSSESSIONS MAY BE THE GREATEST CONTENDER FOR THE LOVE OF MANY
The Bible says, “the love of money is the root of all evil, which may hinder our love for and relationship with the Lord.” The Bible did not say money itself was evil; but “the love of money” is the root of evil. It is understood that money itself may be used for much good—pay for life’s necessities, help the poor, promote God’s work. But according to biblical Word of God the “love of money” and material possessions have hampered the love of many for the Lord, and causes many to lose their souls. (1 Timothy 6:10).
THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF SOME WHO LOVED MONEY AND POSSESSIONS MORE THAN THE LORD
- A very moral man with wealth met Jesus and wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Knowing this man loved his money and possessions more than the Lord, Jesus told him he needed to “sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the man heard this, he was very sad, because he had a lot of money and possessions. Jesus said it is hard for those with riches to enter the kingdom of God. But he said, what is impossible with man is possible with God. (Luke 18:18-27).
- Another man in the Bible, was so busy amassing earthly things that he forgot about heavenly things and his relationship with the Lord. Consequently, he lost his soul (Luke 12:18-21).
- Jesus speaks of some people who treated the Lord’s house as a place for making money rather than a place for truly worshipping the Lord (John 2:13-16).
- And the scriptures tell us there are some who keep money for themselves that is due to the Lord (Malachi 3:8; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
OUR CULTURE EMPHASIZES LOVE FOR RICHES
Our culture emphasizes getting rich and acquiring possessions—morally or immorally–more than it mentions loving the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us. We are taught the following values in our culture: Work hard like Horatio Algiers and you will go from rages to riches. Gambling for a good cause is not bad. A little cheating is really okay. “Greed Is Good” (the title of a popular movie). Being corrupt is clever if you don’t get caught.
How likely may someone who generally opposes these values be open to them when facing financial difficulties and hardships?
THE BIBLE STRESSES LOVING JESUS
- The scriptures say keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for godliness with contentment is great gain; and the Lord has said: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”(1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5).
- Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and the things you need and desire, according to God’s will, shall be added to you (Matthew6:33 KJV).
- Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
- Jesus said, no one has given up any thing to love and follow the Lord, but that shall they “receive a hundredfold in the present age…and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).
