Money is the root of all evil…?
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows…
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. Timothy 6: 9-10 and 17-19 NLT
As I watched the shadow of the earth creep across the surface of the moon during Sunday night’s lunar eclipse, it reminded me how we humans always seem to be getting in the way. Our dark shadow creeps up on us, blocking out the light and getting between us and our clear vision.
Getting in the way and allowing our shadow to obstruct our vision is a lot like our pursuit of money and material goods. Our culture encourages us to aggressively pursue higher salaries, better jobs and material goods and we lose our vision of God and relationships with people and nature and many of the things that truly matter in life. We also sometimes believe that because we don’t have a lot of money we don’t carry the burden of love of money. Isn’t love of money something the rich need to worry
Love of money and the relentless pursuit of it is a problem for all of us, no matter our income level. This dark shadow is something that creeps up on nearly all of us and it can darken our days and our nights if we aren’t able to move out of the way and let God’s light shine in our lives.
Dear God, help me to recognize my own dark shadows and give me the courage to step into the light and to put my trust in You to give me all I need for life and enjoyment. Amen.
Written by Denise Mainquist