The Love of Money

I have never thought of myself as being money-minded. I'm not a penny-pincher nor a miser; I don't spend all day cooking up money-making schemes; in fact, why, I do believe I'm one of the more generous people around. As Aunty Chocolate to the kids in the neighbourhood, I can always be counted upon to have sweets, chocolates and cookies for them. Even my colleagues have not been spared the sweet treats, as I go around to their cubicles to leave them sweets and cookies (I tell them that I am spreading the calories around). I'm also usually the first to give birthday and Christmas presents!


So, when the Holy Spirit recently convicted me of having the love of money, I was taken aback at first.

1 Timothy 6:10 

New International Version (NIV)


For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 


Me? Have the love of money? How is that possible?

Then, it dawned on me that perhaps, unconsciously, I was loving money, but not in that obvious greed is good manner. What had happened, and how it happened was more subtle, and hence I needed that wake-up call by the Holy Spirit.

A few months back, I switched from having a full-time job to a part-time position. While I knew that there would be a reduction in income, I guess I was not really all that prepared for it. So, what happened was that I began to take on a few part-time positions, wishing to make-up for the previous income.  I also became more conscious of how much my work and my time was worth, which is not always a healthy thing. In doing so, I kind of forgot why I had decided to switch to part-time work in the first place.

Then, recently, for a few days consecutively, I started getting messages - bible readings, faith books, daily devotional messages on how the love of money is the root of all evil, and the importance of seeking Him first. 

Matthew 6:33   

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


Initially, I glossed over the message. Ya, ya, ya, I know that the love of money is the root of all evil... and we need to seek Him first.


I have heard all that before. Besides, was I one who loved money? Generous ol' me? The one who blesses others with my blessings?


Then, it hit me. 


I had been seeking opportunities on my own, trying to do it all and make it all through my own effort and hard work. Yet, Christ has told us that when we seek Him first and His righteousness and remember that He has done it all for us, He will add everything else - blessings, wisdom, peace, prosperity... to us!

Matthew 6 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Praise and thank God for His grace and love. I have decided to rest upon Him and put Him first and rest in His peace and assurance of an abundant life. I still believe in being blessed to be a blessing to others.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

II Corinthians 9:8-12 (ESV)