Question:

What is the scripture about money? Does it serve God's purpose for people to be without money or lack it or live in poverty?

 

Comment:

There are many references in scripture to money, and to the question of wealth vs. poverty. I don't think you'd find any statements that poverty is God's purpose. The general theme—especially in the New Testament—is that the spiritual problem lies not in money itself, but in love of money. In addition to the well-known (but often misquoted) statement at 1 Timothy 6:10 that "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil," there is the admonition at Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money."

I think Jesus stated the issue pretty clearly in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:24): "You cannot serve God and wealth." ("Mammon" was a term used at the time to describe money and other riches.) It is fine to be wealthy, but it's dangerous because it may become an obsession, taking priority over our spiritual purpose.  

Of course, it's also possible to "serve money" by obsessing about the lack of it. When we truly feel spiritually wealthy no matter what's in our bank accounts, we create an energy of appreciation that allows the wealth of the universe to flow freely in our lives.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed


More