Money is not the solution to all problems. While money does pay the bills, buy food and supplies, and purchase clothes and a home, it can never heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and fix broken lives. If any, it can even worsen the problems we have.
The Bible tells us that money is a good tool, but a terrible master. It's so terrible that it competes with God in the heart of man. This is why the Lord Jesus Himself said:
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
The apostle Paul also warned us against excessive, or at least a driving desire, for money:
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)
These words tell us that money is not an end-all and be-all in terms of solving problems.
Reasons not to put all our hopes in riches
To help us understand why we should not trust in money for everything, here are some reasons why money cannot solve all problems.
1) Money depends on its user
Money is but an arbitrary tool that can be used for good or bad, depending on the person who will use it. Many rich people are able to give gifts and help other people. On the other hand, there are some rich people who just added more problems to their already burgeoning list of burdens, thanks to their greed.
Consider the rich young man who talked to the Lord Jesus in Matthew 19:16-22. He did good things since his youth, but he failed in one very important matter of the heart:
"Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:21-22)
2) Money can't fix heart issues
Many people try to earn more wealth, thinking that if they have more money they can buy any and everything that they'll ever need and want. Many Christians even do this.
Sadly, no amount of money can ever fix the errors in our hearts. God's forgiveness can't be bought using a credit card. God's blessings cannot be purchased over the counter. Reconciliation with God cannot be acquired through installment plans.
In the same way, other heart issues just can't be driven away using cash. Take loneliness, for example. While we can spend a fortune on feasts and other social gatherings just to have friends surround us, the fact is that they'll still go home and leave us alone. And when they do, the loneliness will still remain.
Friends, only God can fix heart issues. Whether it's an orphan spirit, an issue of rejection, and wounds from being abused and hurt, only God can heal.
3) Money can bring out the worst in us
Money is a litmus test that reveals the heart of a man. Some may not understand and believe it, but money is able to bring out the worst in us.
Consider the famous disciple named Judas Iscariot. He walked with Jesus Christ daily, saw Him do miracles, heard His teachings, and ate with Him everywhere they went. The Lord trusted him enough to make him the group's treasurer, carrying the money bag they used for their resources. Yet, he betrayed the Lord for a few pieces of silver.
In the same way, money is able to bring out the worst in people. Those who feel like they lack may be tempted to acquire things in illegal ways. The rich but greedy will not be contented with their wealth; even if they have more than what they really need, they will try to gain more and more money to satisfy their greedy appetites. At the same time, we can be poor and yet still be greedy because of our lust for things we don't have. Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us,
"He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity."
In closing
Friends, money is not the solution to all problems; contentment in God is. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He knows all that will happen before it happens, and knows just how to deal with it. Let's all trust in Him above all, and run to Him whenever we, His children, are in need.
