The Love of Money

When I was a school boy (okay many, many years ago) the popular lunch-time club was the English Club. The head of English, Mr Walkie, was a fantastic teacher. We would write poems, limericks (to read aloud and laugh uncontrollably) and have debates. My first foray into the English Club debating, when in form 3, was with the topic, “It is the opinion of this house that money is the root of all evil.” I argued the case and much to my embarrassment and pleasure a couple of older boys said I did a good job. Who asked for their opinion?

Of course, today’s gospel reading brings it all back. I appreciate that none of the
passage from Luke should ever go to the back of my mind. Who doesn’t like money? Who could do with just a little bit more? The Bible has quite a bit to say about greed. I know that greed might apply to things apart from money, eg power.

Elsewhere we read “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal” Matthew 6.19 and “You cannot serve God and wealth” Matthew 6.24.

And concerning power we read “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10.43-45

It is the love of money, and not money itself, that is the problem. The love of money is a sin because it gets in the way of worshipping God. Think of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19. This man could not follow Jesus because he was following money. His love of this world interfered with his love for God.

Greed refuses to be satisfied. More often than not, the more we get, the more we want. The gospel reading today reminds us that money and possessions will not protect us. Matthew 6.33 says, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

A song I used to sing in youth group was:
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,
And His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you , Allelu Alleluia.
Ask and it shall be given unto you,
Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and it shall be opened unto you, Allelu Alleluia
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This chorus links well this week’s reading with that of last week.
Bless you as you seek to follow the teaching.