In their book, The First Year of Marriage, Miriam ArondandSamuel L. Pauker suggest that people see money in one of four ways:
(1) money as status, keeping ahead of one’s peers;
(2) money as security, avoiding poverty;
(3) money as enjoyment, satisfaction from acquisition;
(4) money as control, maintaining independence.
I would add a fifth: many see money as simply necessity, the need to pay the bills.
One day Jesus was teaching a large crowd, and someone in the crowd called out to him and said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus refused to decide the matter but took the opportunity to teach the man and the crowd around him about greed. His key statement was, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” But He went on to illustrate His point with a parable—the story of a barn-builder, a man who is self-centered and greedy. Here is His description:
A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, “What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.” Then he said, “I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, ‘My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!’” (NLT)
In these words, the man in the parable reveals his soul. It is allabout him. His favorite words are Iand my, and even when he changes to youand your, he is still referring to himself. Life, he says, is about me and my stuff.
But Jesus describes God’s view of the man in these words: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’” If we search through Jesus’ parables, it is hard to find stronger words. They remind us of this statement recorded later in the gospel: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13)
Possibly this is the danger Jesus warns of more than any other in His teaching—the danger of money. To want to be rich is a powerful temptation and a real danger. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 6:9, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
Jesus’ words about serving two masters make clear that this is a kind of idolatry. Money can become our master. It can become an all-consuming distraction from the living God. “Well,” you may say, “I’m not there.” Probably the barn-builder was not there at the beginning either. Temptationis a strong impulse, but it often grows over time. It may not feel like temptation in the beginning, but if a seed is planted it can grow into something that will eat our souls.
Jesus says there are two ways of being rich. We can store up treasure for ourselves or be rich toward God. To choose the first, He says, is to be a fool. May God own us body and soul, heart and mind; and may money be His provision and not our idol.
Prayer: Lord, let me never bow to another master, especially money. Remind me of my dependence on You, Jehovah Jireh, God my Provider, and help me to choose the right kind of rich.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
