Man always perceives prosperity as a powerful objective. Unemployment figures are down. Last
week’s Stock Market numbers reached new highs, and people smile a lot when things are going well. Lots of people have more money now than they ever had. Is that good? Or is it bad?
There is no doubt that we have made some very significant changes in how we view money and possessions. Our parents and grandparents got by with a lot less than we have today. We know the value of the dollar has diminished in the last sixty years. Ten dollars would buy a lot of groceries in the 1950’s, but you can carry it home in one hand and in one small sack today.
A true story about a 19th century pioneer preacher named “Raccoon” John Smith shines a spotlight on silver and some folks’ attitude toward money back then. He was anything but wealthy, and even though he had preached for years and had some reputation as such, Louis Cochran described his appearance this way:
“…a pair of homespun cotton pantaloons, loose enough, but far too short for him – and a cotton coat, once checked with blue and white, but now of undistinguishable colors. His shapeless hat was streaked with sweat and dust. His socks, too large for his shrunken ankles, hung down upon his worn shoes. His shirt was coarse and unbuttoned at the neck…”
Hardly sounds like a man given to vanity, does it? But Smith ran into a “buzz saw” when some of his friends and brethren discovered that Smith had given his wife six silver teaspoons for their anniversary. He had received some silver coins for preaching and he paid a silversmith to shape them into teaspoons. He didn’t try to hide the spoons, but when the brethren learned of it, some accused him of possessing a spirit that yearned for “sinful pride and riches.”
I look into my closet – our kitchen pantry – our garage – our living room – and I see things that would have really created a storm of charges in Smith’s day. Man’s attitude toward “things” has changed a great deal. Possessions once considered a symbol of pride are now regarded as necessities. Though our grandmothers were content with a freshly starched gingham dress, we must have things from Nordstrom. Our grandfathers were happy to have “three rooms and a path,” but we must have four bedrooms and three baths. Grandfather was pleased to vacation at a three-day-camp-meeting, while grandson must go to Las Vegas. MONEY!! Is it the “root of all evil”?
First, the statement from 1 Timothy 6:10 does not say money is the root of all evil. It says “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” [ASV, NKJV] Money can and has done many great things, but being the object of our love, it can, will and does produce evil.
In Ecclesiastes 3:13, Solomon wrote, “…every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” Solomon’s problem, however, was that he loved his possessions. It is one thing to “enjoy” the fruit of our labor, but it is another thing entirely to be so enamored with money and things money can buy that they become the center of our lives.
Christians have specific obligations to the poor, Matthew 25:31-46, Ephesians 4:28, and the lost, Philippians 4:13ff. We are to put our “affection on things above,” Colossians 3:2. How long has it been since you took a good look at what is in your closet, your pantry, your garage/shop?
The ancient Jews had a saying that proclaimed, “Anything that makes me long for heaven is a blessing.” Most of us have much, much more than our fathers and grandfathers ever had or dreamed of having. Many of us – including myself – possess so many “things” that we may have lost some of our longing “for heaven.”
Let’s go back to that passage Paul wrote to Timothy and seriously consider verses 6-9:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,” 1 Timothy 6:6-9.
Godliness with contentment…” What will it take for us to be “content” with “godliness”? I sure need to think about that. How about you?
