THE LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE
By Barry Shaw
Wealth in and of
itself is not a bad thing. But, people who love money more than God have “pierced
themselves with many griefs...For the love of money
is a root of all kinds of evil.” 1 Timothy 6:10
It is written in the
Book of Deuteronomy that “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully
follow all His commands...” you will be blessed. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 But if we forsake the Lord, He will pierce us
with the griefs referred to by the Apostle Paul.
In his letter to
Timothy, Paul gave instructions about how to deal with those who have wealth: “Command
those who are rich...not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which
is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good
deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up
treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they
may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Two accounts in the
Bible illustrate the Godly principles that Paul spoke about. The first is about
Achan, a soldier under Joshua in the conquest of
Jericho, who loved money more than he loved God. The Lord had instructed Joshua
to “keep away from the devoted things,” the plunder from Jericho, all of
which was to go into the Lord’s treasury. Joshua 6:18,19 In defiance of the Lord’s command, Achan kept silver and gold for himself. When his sin was
revealed, Achan and his family were stoned to death.
The second account
is about Ananias and Sapphira.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of
his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had...There were
no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or
houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’
feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35 Ananias and Sapphira loved money more than God. They lied about the
proceeds of the sale of their land and didn’t share it all with the other
believers. When confronted with their lie to God, both fell down and
died. See Acts 5:1-11
It is the love of
money rather than having money itself that is of spiritual concern. When
used wisely for the things God provides to us anyway (including money) and
shared in a charitable way with those less fortunate, it is truly what life is
all about.
“Taste and see
that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear
the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” Psalm
34:8,9
Barry N. Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon