This week I am discussing money and the misconception or limiting belief that wanting to have money is bad. What are some of your beliefs about money? Have you ever thought that having a lot of money would change you as a person? Have you thought that if you made a lot of money you would not be saved or a be good religious person? Do you think all rich people are crooks or mean or selfish or arrogant or anything that is not positive.
Your thoughts on this matter can cause you to block the possibility of being the person you were meant to become. What do I mean by this? Somewhere in your subconscious mind you may believe that if you become successful at your profession, job, in school and so on you would become a person you don’t like.
I was talking with a friend of mine the other day. He has been around politicians who, before they went into political office, they were kind and caring and they wanted to do all they could for their constituents. However, the power of the office, caused them to forget what they came into office for and they began to become arrogant. Are you thinking that becoming rich will make you this way?
Not long ago I watched a movie called “A Perfect Day” staring Rob Lowe. It was about an author who finally had his manuscript published after many rejections. This was wonderful, what he and his wife had been hoping to happen. How would you feel if you were suddenly given the opportunity to have your book published or given a promotion? Over the course of the movie, he went from being this kind and loving and caring husband and father to a self-centered arrogant human being. Thankfully, via an intervention, by the end of the movie he realized what he had become and made a change. Is this your fear? Are you bound to what you have heard about wanting money?
In reality we all need a means of exchange to give us food, clothing, shelter and these days transportation. But is that all there is? Lets review the scripture at the heart of the issue.
The scripture I am discussing today is located in 1 Timothy the 6th chapter. The verse that has been often quoted is #10. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
As is my habit, I read the entire chapter and a lot of things came to mind. Why was this letter written and what was its purpose? Let me quote within context, starting with the 9th verse. I am using the NIV translation:
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Notice the second half of verse 10 says, some people, eager for money. It doesn’t say all people. It doesn’t say all who work to be successful. Just some. Therefore, you can become rich and be good because it doesn’t say “All people.” Just some.
Let me first say that nowhere, that I have found, does it say you can’t desire to be rich. We have been given desires in our hearts and minds. When faith centered, they are for the greater good. What this chapter is discussing is about those who want riches so much that they cause friction, strife, discord and are envious of others. Therefore, if being rich is your goal, as in verse 9, you can, but not necessarily, fall into temptation. You must guard your heart and mind from greed.
The name Berny Maddoff came to mind. He is the man that stole money from many people in an investment scheme that collapsed. People who lie and steal to be rich are the ones being discussed here. There have been all kinds of get rich quick schemes throughout the ages that cause pain and suffering to many.
Your desire to live comfortably is not in opposition to being a good person. There are examples of those who are rich within the scripture. They had been blessed and they lived the way they were instructed; being kind, generous and helpful to others.
Let’s look at verses 1-8 of 1 Timothy 6. “All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. “
As I understand this, Christians servants were to honor and respect their masters and to treat them well whether or not they were believers. This was to be so that God’s name and Christian teaching would not be slandered. Notice in verse 5 after describing those who are not teaching correctly it says that they are conceited and understand nothing. What I found interesting is that it also says they have been robbed of the truth and think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Those scriptures brought a lot of examples to mind of people I have met or seen in various places that are using “Being Godly” as a means to make money. Have you spent money on holy water, prayer cloths or whatever to get a blessing you already have? This is my interpretation of these scriptures.
What do you see as you read these passages? Are you concentrating on the other scripture that is often quoted: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
I agree. We should be content and appreciate what we have at this time because being thankful for what we currently have will make us open to receive more into our lives.
Wednesday I will continue this discussion with “What Is Money Anyway?
You can listen to a full One Command meditation dealing with your money belief by going to http://blogtalkradio.com/commandingyourlife and playing the “The Root of Your Money Consciousness” episode.
According to your faith will it be done to you” Matthew 9:29 And it is so!
In Gratitude,
Beverly Fells Jones
The Silver Fox of Consciousness
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