Greed
We are to work... or not eat:
2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
We need to work and provide for ourselves:
2 Thessalonians 3:12 “Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”?
We ought to work and provide for our family:
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
The Bible gives great warning about the passion for financial gain:
Proverbs 23:4 "Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
There is a grave danger in seeking wealth; it may bring about lowering our standard of right and wrong in order to gain riches:
Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”
Timothy gives us a similar warning:
First, be content!
1 Timothy 6:8 “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Second, realize that the desire for wealth can cause us to do wrong, and hurt ourselves and those we love.
1 Timothy 6:9 “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
Third, we see the reminder that, according to the Lord, the LOVE of money is the ROOT OF ALL EVIL — that statement is monumental; but God made the statement, so we know it is true.
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
How many people would be in the ministry but cannot fathom trusting the Lord for the needs of their family or for allowing minimal income to be their provision?
How many times have people compromised their fellowship for the sake of business and done immeasurable harm to their children or marriage?
How many potential Sunday school teachers, choir members, and bus workers have been unwilling to commit to teaching a class because of the obligations they have at work?
We see the trouble in that last verse:
1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after…"
Covetousness is all through the Bible. Perhaps, covetousness is the object of more Bible warnings and prohibitions than any other sin.
Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
This warning is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:21 and in New Testament passages, Romans 7:7 and Romans 13:9. Many other passages repeat the same warnings. God is so strong in His feeling toward this matter that He tells us not to fellowship with a covetous man.
1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Certainly, the desire for financial gain can lead us into participating in all kinds of wrong, not to mention growing complacent toward the things of God. The wrong friends we gain through business can change our actions. Wrong activities for financial gain may demand friends who are godless, and social time required by work can make us complacent toward booze and moral shame. (The list goes on and on.) Sometimes the desire for financial gain is not covetousness; it is a simple desire to do well, to accomplish, and to succeed. This desire, without any ill motive, can become a deadly sin as we are soon motivated by gain rather than God in our every action.
?Good priorities cause us to seek first the kingdom of God. Seeking eternal things ought to occupy our minds far more than accumulating earthly wealth.
John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”
We ought to labor for the things of God!!
If we are not careful, our wrong priorities will show in our conversation; our children will hear us speak of "successful" people with money, yet never speak of those serving God as "successful." Another danger arises when our children grow up thinking that serving in the ministry is not successful because there is not as much money found in that career, or they fail to see spiritual leaders as successful men and women. Allowing finances to corner our attention could easily prevent our children from any interest in the mission field.
Success is not gain, but rather earnestly following the will of God — nothing else — will determine our success.
Pastor