Money is the Answer??

If only I had a little more money; then I could….

I am sure that you could easily complete the sentence. After all, who wouldn’t want a little extra money?

There’s that home project that keeps getting put off. More reliable transportation would be nice. Then, the unexpected...storm damage!

If you own it, you’ll have to repair it or replace it...a little more money would come in handy.

Kids. Did I mention kids? Kids cost a lot.

A little extra money would cover the braces, new clothes, activity fees, piano lessons, tutoring, cell phone, and so on.

• Car! College! Commencement!
• Repair! Replace! Retire!
• Health care, parental care, governmental care (taxes)...it never ends.

There are greedy people out there, but I’m not greedy. There are selfish people out there, but I’m not selfish. I’m keeping up with expenses, but I can’t seem to get ahead. A little more money really would solve a lot of problems. (Let’s be honest and strike the word little.)

Solomon agreed!

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. 

—Ecclesiastes 10:19

Did you know that Solomon wrote that? Did you know that statement is in the Bible!? It almost sounds like eat, drink and be merry with money is the answer tacked on for good measure. It may even seem to conflict with New Testament teachings about self-discipline and self-sacrifice.

If money can answer everything, why not live life in pursuit of money?

First, remember that Solomon’s statement about money was written in a book containing the results of his search for meaning. Limiting himself to the created universe, Solomon tried everything, yet nothing in the universe provided meaning. So, there is an exception to his money statement. Money does not provide the ultimate meaning in life. You must look beyond the physical universe for meaning.

Second, notice that Solomon simply laid before us an observation about money. He did not advise the pursuit of money.

Third, money is a neutral thing. It is not good or bad to possess it or use it. Yet, there are a few things in Scripture that provide cautionary wisdom when it comes to money.

Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, “Who is the Lord?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God. 

—Proverbs 30:8-9 (HCSB)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. 

—Mark 10:25

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. 

—1 Timothy 6:10

The wealthy of this world seem to prove that money is the answer to everything. Yet, money does not generate faith in God, but rather, faith in money. So, is it true that money is the answer to everything? Sure, but only within the boundaries of the physical universe. Beyond that, money is meaningless.

Mark Stinnett

July 30, 2023