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| Evangelist Othe |
Riches and wealth are God given. Because they come from God, they cannot be classified as evil. The good turned evil because of our faulty attitude to achieving them. Our blinded rush to attain them, our unchecked quest, the bellicose inclination of many, the untamed behavior of men and women alike towards quick and easy money making brand riches evil. Otherwise why should riches and wealth truly and sincerely got through sweat and untainted hard labour be termed evil?
Be it far from evil to be rich and wealthy, but when the approach to achievement is questionable without credible explanation, then they become a snare and the caring public begins to sneeze and cough. The Bible itself takes a critical swipe with straight forward condemnation at them and says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief” (1 Tim. 6:10). What a sad and unfortunate end!
Many people, believers and unbelievers alike, fall preys to this ‘canker worm’. When deep necked, they are unable to pull out themselves until they become engulfed and are enslaved to money. At this level of involvement, the victims hardly listen to the sonorous bells of salvation nor the preaching of the innocent preacher. This is so because they no longer fear the Lord. “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless” (Prov. 14:16).
They are rooted in their love for money and often times are led in to secret societies and cults where they take evil oaths to stabilize their riches. But the Bible has this against them. “One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has wealth” (Prov. 13:7) and “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” (Prov. 13:11).
These hell-fire bound money seeks go to any length and apply any means to become rich and wealthy. At the cost of their fellow men’s lives they hold no brakes but go ahead unhindered to perpetrate their evil plans. They lack human love and sympathy. They eat and dine with their victims in the morning hours but push ahead to kill and maim in the evening or at night. Hear what the Bible teaches, “Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool” (Jer. 17:11). Again, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold (Prov. 22:1).
When money controls the heart of man, he kills and murders. He lies even when he knows that his secrets have leaked out. He falsifies documents and defrauds his employers. He ensures he unseats his boss by any means to rise and take over the seat. But the Bible makes it clear and loud, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Impersonation has become a way of life for easy money making. Armed robbery is fading gradually to be replaced rapidly by kidnapping. Pastors who are supposed to be ambassadors of Christ have been caught in the web of deceit, lying, pretence, murder, cheating, human rituals, and lots more. The love of money has taken over the pulpit where the sermon of prosperity sturdily replaces the divine message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, which thundered into the hearers ears, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17).
In all these, Jesus asks, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37). We cannot serve God and money as it is written, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13).
Other overzealous characters, engage in illegal minting, money or human trafficking. Young ladies run for local and international prostitution backed by parental support or persuasion. Some housewives dump their marriages for greener pastures in prostitution. Brethren, in all these Jesus is asking, “What good I sit for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (compare Prov. 20:17; 23:4-5).
How not to spend or use money
a) Do not use your riches to oppress the poor, the widow, the fatherless or less privileged (Prov. 22:22-23).
b) Do not boast with riches. Remember that God raises some people and brings down others at His discretion.
c) Do not underrate others in your riches (Prov. 14:21).
d) Do not shun the elderly when blessed with riches. Honour the deserving.
e) Avoid committing any evil with the influence or power of your riches as some do by taking over their neighbours’ wives.
Riches and wealth are good, if wisely used or spent to glorify God who gives power to make wealth. “The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it” (Prov. 20:22). Be rich and wealthy but fear God in all that you do.
1) Honour the Lord with your wealth and all your substance (Prov. 3:9-10)
2) Help the poor and less privileged and you will be richer (Prov. 22:9)
3) Give to the servants of God (all shades) (1 Cor. 9:13-14)
“Command those who are in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
The rich in this present world, you are hereby so commanded.
God bless you to be richer.
Jesus is Lord. 
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