Dale Byers
Money and Happiness
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness:
and all these things shall be added unto you
She had gone down in history as “America’s Greatest Miser,” yet when she died in 1916, Hetty Green left an estate valued at over $100 million. She ate cold oatmeal because it cost to heat it. Her son had to suffer a leg amputation, because she delayed so long in looking for a free clinic that his case became incurable. She was wealthy, yet she chose to live like a pauper. Eccentric? Certainly! Crazy? Perhaps - but nobody could prove it. She was so foolish she hastened her own death by bringing on an attack of apoplexy while arguing about the value of drinking skimmed milk! But Hetty Green is an illustration of too many Christian believers today. They have limitless wealth at their disposal, and yet they live liker paupers. (Taken from W.W. Wiersbe- Ephesians).
Perhaps you have heard of the man who was so stingy that when he went to church he refused to stand to pray for the offering. He was afraid his knees would give. Another man was accused of having a big nose only because air is free. Well, whatever our situation in life God does have perimeters at both extremes. We can be careless and wasteful and we can be controlled by money. It has been said that money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. When money controls our lives, we are under the Lordship of something other than God. Here are some wrong assumptions about money.
1. People wrongly assume that money is only evil. “For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Tim. 6:10). Please notice that it does not say “money” is the root of all evil, but that “the love” of money is the cause of all kinds of evil deeds.
2. Another wrong conception is that “the love of money” relates only to the rich. Lottery tickets are not purchased just by wealthy individuals. Gambling is the process of betting money that you can a get rich quick without working for it. The poor and rich alike can love money. Jesus does give strong warning to those who love money (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 6:23; Mat.19:23).
3. It is wrong to think that everything relates to money. For some people, decisions are all made on the basis of money. Jesus said that we are to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Everything about our lives should relate to God’s Kingdom. Hetty Green was one who could let her family suffer just to save money. The purpose of money is to meet the needs of our lives and our families, not vise versa.
4. Some people wrongly assume that God wants His people to be poor. Please notice all the words of I Tim. 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this age, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” God does “give us richly all things to enjoy.” Some of the most godly people are wealthy individuals. Abraham, Job and Boaz are examples of godly individuals who had acquired great wealth. The Gospel is intended for people of every walk of life and for every social structure. We are all spiritual paupers in need of a Savior.
5. It is wrongly assumed that money will make us happy. Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who are paranoid about losing money. Some are penny wise and pound foolish. They will waste dollars to save a penny. If the present economy has ruined your life, then look to the Lord. John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money it would take to make him happy. His reply was, “Just a little bit more.” True happiness and contentment are found only in the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Don’t live like a pauper. Live according to your riches in glory with Christ Jesus.
Rev. Dale Byers is a retired pastor living in Holland, MI. He may be reached at [email protected] . * Blogsite for past articles: http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/ <http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/>
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness:
and all these things shall be added unto you
She had gone down in history as “America’s Greatest Miser,” yet when she died in 1916, Hetty Green left an estate valued at over $100 million. She ate cold oatmeal because it cost to heat it. Her son had to suffer a leg amputation, because she delayed so long in looking for a free clinic that his case became incurable. She was wealthy, yet she chose to live like a pauper. Eccentric? Certainly! Crazy? Perhaps - but nobody could prove it. She was so foolish she hastened her own death by bringing on an attack of apoplexy while arguing about the value of drinking skimmed milk! But Hetty Green is an illustration of too many Christian believers today. They have limitless wealth at their disposal, and yet they live liker paupers. (Taken from W.W. Wiersbe- Ephesians).
Perhaps you have heard of the man who was so stingy that when he went to church he refused to stand to pray for the offering. He was afraid his knees would give. Another man was accused of having a big nose only because air is free. Well, whatever our situation in life God does have perimeters at both extremes. We can be careless and wasteful and we can be controlled by money. It has been said that money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. When money controls our lives, we are under the Lordship of something other than God. Here are some wrong assumptions about money.
1. People wrongly assume that money is only evil. “For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Tim. 6:10). Please notice that it does not say “money” is the root of all evil, but that “the love” of money is the cause of all kinds of evil deeds.
2. Another wrong conception is that “the love of money” relates only to the rich. Lottery tickets are not purchased just by wealthy individuals. Gambling is the process of betting money that you can a get rich quick without working for it. The poor and rich alike can love money. Jesus does give strong warning to those who love money (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 6:23; Mat.19:23).
3. It is wrong to think that everything relates to money. For some people, decisions are all made on the basis of money. Jesus said that we are to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). Everything about our lives should relate to God’s Kingdom. Hetty Green was one who could let her family suffer just to save money. The purpose of money is to meet the needs of our lives and our families, not vise versa.
4. Some people wrongly assume that God wants His people to be poor. Please notice all the words of I Tim. 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this age, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” God does “give us richly all things to enjoy.” Some of the most godly people are wealthy individuals. Abraham, Job and Boaz are examples of godly individuals who had acquired great wealth. The Gospel is intended for people of every walk of life and for every social structure. We are all spiritual paupers in need of a Savior.
5. It is wrongly assumed that money will make us happy. Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who are paranoid about losing money. Some are penny wise and pound foolish. They will waste dollars to save a penny. If the present economy has ruined your life, then look to the Lord. John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money it would take to make him happy. His reply was, “Just a little bit more.” True happiness and contentment are found only in the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Don’t live like a pauper. Live according to your riches in glory with Christ Jesus.
Rev. Dale Byers is a retired pastor living in Holland, MI. He may be reached at [email protected] . * Blogsite for past articles: http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/ <http://dalebyers.wordpress.com/>