Lucre
Sometimes one finds words of wisdom in unexpected places.
From the wall of a Gulf station, next to the radiator caps, I
copied these words.

Money
Workers earn it; spendthrifts burn it;
Bankers lend it; women spend it;
Forgers fake it; taxes take it;
Dying leave it; heirs receive it;
Thrifty save it; misers crave it;
Robbers seize it; rich increase it;
Gamblers lose it; I could use it.

This little verse acknowledges many of the problems and
errors associated with money; in spite of all the injustice and
erroneous thinking that surround the subject, he amusingly
confesses, “I could use it.”

Solomon expressed a widely held idea in Ecclesiastes 10:19.
He said that money answers everything. Many people believe
this. There is hardly a thing in this world that cannot be
converted into dollars and cents. Money can buy material
things like food and clothing. But, it can also buy intangibles
like friendship, honor, dignity and self-esteem. And, if
“knowledge is power,” money is more obviously so. We even
have life insurance to “insure” the quality of life for those we
leave when dying. And, health insurance is supposed to
“insure” that one will have proper medical attention, if he
should become seriously ill. You can guarantee your income
with a salary continuation plan. No matter what kind of
problem you’ve got, money promises a solution.

No wonder so many people in the world spend their lives in
pursuit of the almighty dollar. Money is a very practical
thing. It can improve the quality of our material lives. It can
take a load of worry and anxiety out of life. Properly used, it
can even improve our spiritual lives.

Jesus said that people make a god out of material wealth
(Matthew 6:24). Paul echoed that sentiment (Colossians
3:5). Seldom does anyone start out to worship money. But,
little by little he falls into the devil’s trap. Like a carrot on a
stick, satisfaction is always just out of reach.

The thing people don’t take into account is that there is a
God in heaven. Those who have the wrong attitude about
money will fall into a trap. God has declared it. People
cannot have the wrong attitude toward money
without having the wrong attitude toward God. And,
usually, men love money because they love the illicit
pleasures it buys.

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we
can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with
these we shall be content. But, those who desire to be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition. 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 6:7-10).

The love of money produces its own traps and snares. Those
who love it have temptations that others do not have. The
love of money is a root of all sorts of misfortune or “evil.” It
causes people to stray from the faith and to pierce
themselves through with grief and sorrow as with a barbeque
spit. (So the Greek word suggests).

It is hard to live without money, but the consequences of
pursuing it too much or loving it too much are very grave
indeed.

NORTH PARK CHURCH OF CHRIST
Aug. 22, 1984
Abilene, TX

AND REPRINTED IN JAY BOWMAN, THE COLLECTED WORKS, general editors, Warren and Paula Berkley