Here is a short list of sayings about money. How can these sayings mislead you?
- Money can't buy happiness
- Money is the root of all evil
- A penny saved is a penny earned
- Money makes the world go 'round
- Save your pennies for a rainy day
- Mo' Money, Mo' Problems
- A fool and his money are soon parted
- You can't take it with you
- Render unto Caesar
- A penny for your thoughts
- Money can't buy me love
- Putting your money where your mouth is
- Dollar wise and penny foolish
- Spending money like a drunken sailor
I don't know about you but after reading over this list of money sayings several times I feel confused, what am I supposed to believe about money? This is the challenge when we rely on a saying or two about a topic that has profound impact and influence over our life. The reality is that many of these sayings have grown out of a personal observation or experience, but without understanding the context of the saying it may be misapplied in application to our life. To often the saying we have become familiar with has been adapted and with some parts dropped intentionally so that the saying makes sense for context in which the message is being delivered. This is why we should not just accept a money saying at face value, but rather take time to question the origin and meaning of the saying.
Let's just take one of these sayings and understand the possible implications.
3 Problems/Challenges with "Money is the root of all evil".
This is a Biblical reference to Paul's letter to Timothy found in 1 Timothy 6:10. The actual verse reads v.10 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. Notice the verse includes the word love which gives a completely different meaning to the sentence. Then it is in the second sentence that Paul expresses his real concern which is that when some people have loved money, they have wandered from faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
2. If you believe money is the root of all evil, no wonder you would not trust the rich because they are the ones with loads of money. Or perhaps you believe they are rich because they love money and so then they are evil.
3. When you take a Biblical verse in isolation then you miss the broader context of what the Bible says about a given subject. To counter balance any ideas that money might be evil consider the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30 where the first two servants took their given talents (equivalent to money) and doubled them, the last servant hide his and returned what was given to him. The first two servants where told well done good and faithful servant, where as the last servant was called a wicked and slothful servant.
Ultimately the Bible references the management and use of money and resources over 2,000 times. Management of financial resources is a subject that creates many challenges, because there are significant implications for how we view and use money.
The first step to understanding the role of money in our life, is to decide what model or view of money we are going to take. Then we can set out on a journey to continually learn how to apply that model to the best of our understanding. Feel free to give me a call to talk more, 980-275-1627.
Regards,
Ed Coambs
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