God does NOT tell us in the Bible that pieces of paper or coins called money are the problem when it comes to money. Having money and spending money WHEN IT LINES UP WITH GOD’S WILL FOR US IN TERMS OF HOW WE GET IT AND WHAT WE DO WITH IT is NOT the problem. So what is the problem?
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 NKJV
Notice the people God describes here “HAVE STRAYED FROM THE FAITH”! Wow! That means if we are not careful we can stray from God and our faith in Him and our relationship with Him due to the “LOVE OF MONEY”.
The words “love of money” come from ONE Greek word (not three words “love of money”). The word is “philarguria” which per Strong’s concordance is “avarice” (greed) or “love of money”. In plain English, the problem with money is when we have a LOVE RELATIONSHIP with money!
Money is something we are supposed to use in a way that pleases God. Not something with which we are supposed to have a LOVE RELATIONSHIP.
Please note this is NOT just about people who have TONS OF MONEY. This may be about people who have very little money. It is not about money. It is about the LOVE of money! The problem is “THE LOVE OF MONEY”!
God’s greatest commands are to LOVE HIM with ALL OUR HEARTS and to LOVE OTHERS AS OURSELVES. His greatest commands are NOT to LOVE MONEY! In fact, God NEVER commands us to LOVE MONEY! He warns us AGAINST loving money!
God did not create us to have a LOVE RELATIONSHIP with money! He created us to have a LOVING RELATIONSHIP with Him as our FIRST LOVE and to have LOVING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS!
When our hearts and minds and plans and purposes and mission and desires and yearnings and actions are focused on MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, we have a problem! This is not just any old problem. This is SIN! And we need to TURN AWAY FROM SIN and TURN TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! We need to turn to GOD and to HIS WAYS!
Money is NOT to be a god in our lives. It is NOT to be an idol in our lives. It is NOT to control our lives and to rule and reign in our lives. We are NOT to live and breathe for money. We are NOT to serve self and money. We are to live and breathe for God and to love and serve Him and others!
Is God speaking to your heart right now? Do you need to seek God’s forgiveness? Make some changes? Pray and obey God!