Money Is Not Evil!

Money is not evil. It is actually neither good or bad. It's the hands that hold it that determine the morality of money. It's probably more accurate to say its the heart of the one who holds it that determines whether it is good or bad. But, I'm sure you get the point. In the hands of a generous person, money can be a great thing. In the hands of a greedy, selfish person, money can be a really bad thing. By the way if you are thinking the Bible says money is evil, that is incorrect. Scripture tells us that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. As I've indicated, it's a heart thing.

I remember years ago my great-grandmother wanted nothing to do with television. In fact she referred to it as the devil's box. She would say, "I don't want no devil's box in my house!" Now, there is a great deal of garbage on TV. More so today than there was back in her day. So, I can see her point very clearly. Yet, this "devil's box," as she called it, has been an effective tool through the years to spread the Gospel to nations all over the world. So, is television evil or is it good? The television screen is neither. What determines the morality of TV is not the hardware or the programming. It's the hearts of the one's producing the content and the hearts of the one's consuming the contenct.

Money can be used to put food on your table for your family. It can help build water wells in villages that have no clean water. It can help rescue victims of human trafficking. Money can be utilized to build orphanages, find cures for diseases, send humanitarian aid, and feed the hungry. On the other hand, money can be used for all kinds of evil. The same money that rescues victims of human trafficking can enslave them. It can be used to manipulate and control people. It can be used to feed addictions, ruin relationships, and destroy lives. So, is money good or bad?

While many like my great-grandmother had a hands-off approach when it came to television, there were those who asked the question, "how can we leverage this technology for something good?" Because of that way of thinking, today the Gospel is carried via satellite to places all over this earth. If you view money through the lens that it is evil because there are those who use it for evil, then you will fail to see the potential it has to be used for enormous good. Money is a tool. It is your heart that determines whether it is going to be used for good or evil.

Through the church I pastor, Westlake Fellowship, we partner with ministries all over the world. We support them monthly. I am often brought to tears (happy tears) when I hear of what they are doing to change the lives of people and improve their way of life. I'm also often frustrated that I cannot do more. I'm convinced more money in my hand equates to doing more to help others. So, while I am in business to make money, it is not simply to make more money for me and my family. Don't get me wrong, I long for my family to be blessed. It's just that I'm not content with that small of a goal. I have this crazy idea that my success in business can translate into making a difference in the lives of others as well.

I know that there are millions of people out there dreaming of ways to utilize money to do some horrific things. I hate that! On the other hand, I'm asking the question, "how can we leverage this tool to do something good?" I've got some ideas, and I hope you do as well. So, I'll quit typing and you can stop reading for a bit and we can go make some money so we can use it for something good! (#greedisbad, #moneyisnotevil)

Tim is the lead pastor at Westlake Fellowship in Montgomery, TX. If you live in the area, join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30am at 19786 Hwy 105 Suite 120 in Montgomery. Tim also leads Project 8 Eighteen, a ministry for men who are business owners.