Are you a lover of money?

There is a massive difference between spending money, and spending time. Money can be earned again once it’s been used up. Time, however, is way more valuable and precious, and once it’s been spent we can never get it back. So why do so many people focus on chasing money for most of their adult life, making it the number one priority, missing out on so many other things in their pursuit of cash?

Before we get into answering the question above, take a look at the cartoon below, which sums up perfectly a life spent chasing money.

Is it really worth using up an entire lifetime chasing money, something we can’t take with us when we die, and can’t use to buy everlasting life. 1st Timothy 6:7  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. Instead the Bible says we should store up treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Where money is concerned, the Bible does account for one individual who had wealth like nobody else. King Solomon was the most wealthy person in the Bible, and in history. Up against the richest people in the world today, he would make them look poor in comparison. Today his wealth is estimated to be worth around $2.1 Trillion in US Dollars. The net worth of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world in 2024, is $209.9 Billion in US Dollars; spare change for Solomon! The wealth of King Solomon afforded him anything material, or human, during his time on earth. His estimated $2.1 trillion in today’s value didn’t include his annual income from business trades, or the tributes from other kings and governors in Arabia. If alive now he’d likely have plenty of material possessions and be world famous for his riches, owning luxury super cars, huge ocean-going yachts, a collection of exclusive properties around the world, and much more. He passed away thousands of years ago, but where did his wealth go, and what good is it doing him now?

If Solomon was the richest man in history, you’d expect him to say a lot of good things about money and wealth, material goods, and being able to buy pretty much anything he wanted; including people. But there is a surprising element to what he wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes (AKA The Preacher). Solomon said owning lots of money and material goods as vanity, leaving it all behind when he was thinking about death caused him a vexation. The Bible is an amazing book that never hides the successes and failings of those described in many accounts. The lessons we can learn from these are more valuable than any other book we can read, not even the best psychologists can offer better advice. God created us all, in His image and likeness, and He knows what’s best for us.

Solomon was not the only wealthy man in scripture. Job was another person who’s list of riches and possessions was detailed. God allowed Satan to test him but did make it clear that he could not take his life. Job lost everything, including his children. He had huge herds of cattle, with camels (which can sell for millions of Dollars in the Middle East) and other riches and material gains. Job suffered terrible physical ailments, including a malignant boil that covered his entire body. Satan wanted to prove something to God, he thought that if Job lost everything he would soon curse God and blame him for the harsh times he would experience, turning his back on him eventually. But Job didn’t once prove Satan right, instead of putting his losses first, and cursing God for losing his money and all he had, he chose instead to suffer and was blessed for his faith in God. Later on he was given more than he lost before his test, and lived a good life until satisfied.

Our world offers many temporary pleasures if we choose to pursue these alone. But this world is soon to be changed when Jesus returns and God establishes his kingdom. It is never a good idea to become avaricious, especially when knowing that the future is not guaranteed to continue the way many expect. These scriptures warn a person who wants to be rich with the following message: 1st 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. It’s clear that enjoying money is fine, but loving it is when you have a serious problem.

Famous actor and comedian Jim Carrey said on being rich and famous: “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” There are plenty of Hollywood stars who have left behind their former lifestyle to serve God rather than men.

Another famous comedian and actor, Chris Tucker, turned down a role worth $12 Million US Dollars because he said it was for “religious reasons,” he continued, “He didn’t wanna cuss, and he didn’t wanna smoke weed on camera.” If you have ever seen early Chris Tucker films you’ll know that when acting he used cuss words almost constantly is his parts, smoked weed, and played criminal and rogue characters too. He now values his cleaner comedy routines that are performed in front of families. There are countless examples of those who have left behind their former lifestyles to serve God rather than men.

A survey conducted asked retired and elderly ones what they wished they had done with their life to date, and what are their biggest regrets. Nearly all of them said they’d wished more time was spent with loved ones and friends instead of working so hard to get money, many of them regretted putting money first. There’s nothing wrong with having more money, Jesus actually encourages people to invest, rather than let savings dwindle. But the Bible warns of materialism, especially in a temporary world. 1st John 2:17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Solomon was clear when he wrote: Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. We are also warned here: Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. And Jesus own words are found here: Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

What about people who betray others for financial gain? There are examples in the Bible that warn us of this. Samson was betrayed by Delilah when she took a bribe from the Philistines who each offered her 1,100 silver coins. For the money, she revealed that the strength of Samson was in his hair, and if cut off he would lose his power. But the most infamous account of such bribery was when Judas Iscariot accepted thirty pieces of silver from religious authorities to betray Jesus, leading to his arrest and crucifixion. The thirty pieces of silver were significant in number as they were mentioned in prophecy long before the betrayal took place by one of His own twelve disciples. Surely no amount of money is worth betrayal, but if the Son of God is not immune to one of His own stabbing him in the back, we need to be careful of those who will put cash before our welfare, in turn we too must never give up a friend or loved one for money.

Money is useful, but when it becomes worthless paper (search online for Wiemar Republic, or hyperinflation and the starving Zimbabwe billionaires, to see how much value it can lose, and overnight in some cases), we perhaps can see how risky it is to put money first. God told us in 1st Timothy 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

The cardboard is likely worth more than the money stuck to it.

There is far more to life than money and material possessions, what God offers can’t be compared to material gains, it doesn’t come close. He will provide for those who trust in Him, so we need not be anxious if our faith is strong and we are fully repentant of our sins. He can bless us in ways that no human can, and if we gain salvation with everlasting life, there’s no amount of gold or silver that can rival such a prospect.

If you’d like to know more about the Bible, or would like a free study, feel welcome to contact Mark.

mark@truthministry.co.uk