The Love of Money

Over the past few days I've seen several posts from individuals showing their restaurant bills and the tips that they left their wait staff. In each, the tip that was left exceeded the total cost of the bill, in some cases by around 5%, and in some cases by around 250%. The actual tip amount ranged from $100-$7000.

Now, my initial thoughts are those of shock. Why would anyone leave that much of a tip, either percentage or dollar amount? Also, how does someone spend $6700 on a meal, much less the $7000 tip?

Secondly, I feel a bit of envy. "I wish I had the money to leave a 200% tip. I wish I was able to spend $7000 on a meal. Not that I would, necessarily, but man, it would be nice to be able to."

I saw a lot of comments stating that posts like these are self-glorifying, boasting the posters' 'good works', but the people posting say that they are showing what they are able to do in an attempt to inspire others to work hard and get to where they are, that it is attainable by anyone. The posts are meant to be motivating and to encourage both hard work and generosity. And, I have to say, that while I was shocked and envious, I was also inspired and motivated.

So, that brings me to the question of the day. The Bible says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." -- 1 Timothy 6:10 ESV However, unlike what many people believe, it does not say that money IS the root of all evil, but that the LOVE of money is the root, or a root, of all, or all kinds, of evil. This is nothing new, and it's been talked about a million times before, but I want to look at the verse right before it as well.

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." -- 1 Timothy 6:9 ESV

 Similarly, in Hebrews, it says, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" -- Hebrews 13:5 ESV

So, here's the conundrum. Is it possible to be wealthy, without loving money? Is it possible to work toward financial wealth and success without desiring to be rich? As Christians, should we even be entertaining the idea of having money, being wealthy, or is that opposed to God's Word? Should we all be poor? By what standards of wealth do we judge rich and poor? Was Solomon evil because he was also wealthy, and, if so, was God complicit in that evil by granting him wealth? "I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days." -- 1 Kings 3:13 ESV

It seems obvious that this is not the case, but then how do we approach these verses?

It all comes back to the ends and the means. Let's be honest. Money, currency, is a driving force in the world. It always has been. Everyone chases after it in some fashion. There are very few who completely renounce all forms of wealth. However, what is the end of your pursuits? Are you pursuing wealth as an end in and of itself? Do you want to be rich so that you can be rich or is money merely a means to a different end? Are your pursuits actually security, stability, comfort, entertainment, education, freedom, time, relationships, altruism, charity, etc..., for which money is either a necessity or an extreme help to obtaining?

When you pursue money for money you will do anything you can to obtain it, and hold it, but you end up miserable and poor. You become selfish and cheap and stingy and thoughtless and cold as you seek to gain more and more money and not let any of it leave your hands. The irony, however, is that money has no intrinsic value. It is paper or metal or code in a computer, but it's not really worth anything. The value that money holds is in what you can do with it, so if you do nothing, it's worthless.

On the other hand, we live in a world that requires money for almost everything. No, money cannot buy happiness, nor can it fix the world's problems, but it can be a catalyst to happiness and change. Dumping millions of dollars toward a cause you are invested in will not do anything without people to actually do something, but that is why the end is not the money. Dropping off rolls of twenty dollar bills in an impoverished village somewhere in Asia or Africa will not help very much, but spending that same money to dig wells, install water purification systems, build a school, train and teach people in business, trades, etc..., establish a hospital and train doctors, purchase machines and tools needed to sustain change will make a lasting impact. The same can be said for the family of eight living in the small two bedroom apartment in your neighborhood. 

If you have wealth, what are you doing with it? Are you using it to better the world, to allow you to spend more quality time with your family, to bless someone, to support people and organizations that are making a difference? If you don't have wealth, what are you doing with the money you do have? If you are striving for money, why? To what end are you trying to get more money?

This is what it comes down to. Money is not evil, but it can be used for evil, and Satan is fantastic at deceiving us into thinking it is intrinsically valuable. Beware of that lie. 

At the end of the day, posts, like those I mentioned at the beginning of this post, inspire me more than anything else. I would love to be able to bless people, to help in that way, and I'm inspired to try and get there.

However, I, and you, need to remember two things.

1. I need to be as generous/engaged/intentional now as I would hope to be if I was super rich. Not that I can tip 200% and donate thousands to charities, but, like the woman in the Bible who gave what little she had, I too can be generous.
2. Do not let money itself become the goal or the love. It's easy to lose sight of this, but it's important. Pursue Life and Passion and let money be one of the things that help you get there, but don't pursue money.