When we were completely vulnerable and in need of a wonderful win in our lives, the Bible says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at JUST THE RIGHT TIME and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed HIS GREAT LOVE for us by sending Christ TO DIE FOR US while we were still sinners.” (Rom. 5:6-8)
We may be thinking of this kind of prize, In 2018, a person who chose to remain anonymous won $1.537 billion in South Carolina, according to Mega Millions. They actually won $768.5 million then had to pay $384.25 million in income tax. According to the New York Daily News, 70 percent of lottery winners end up broke within seven years. Even worse, several winners have died horribly or witnessed those close to them suffer.
That’s why the Bible says, “…the LOVE of money is the root of ALL KINDS OF EVIL. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1 Tim. 6:10) Money can be used for good as well as for evil, but it is the LOVE of money which is being spoken of in this verse. LUSTING after money and the intense desire to gain more money and increase worldly wealth, is what is being spoken about here. Paul is contrasting THE PEACEFUL ATTITUDE OF GODLY CONTENTMENT and gratitude with A GREEDY CRAVING for wealth, an UNQUENCHABLE APPETITE FOR RICHES.
“The Pharisees, who loved money, were sneering at Jesus.” (Luke 16:14) So He told this story, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels CARRIED HIM TO ABRAHAM’S SIDE. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was IN TORMENT, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I AM IN AGONY IN THIS FIRE.’ “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now HE IS COMFORTED HERE AND YOU ARE IN AGONY.” (Luke 16:19-25) Ask Jesus to forgive you and come into your life!
-Bill Stockham