The more money one makes, the more things one can buy, or perhaps the better quality of items there are that one can purchase. That’s it, goods and services, that’s the base root of money, it cannot serve a purpose unless it has an agreed upon value, if it has little value, it takes more of it to buy what you want.
What it really is, is a motivator, unless you are a thief, you must exchange your time and talents for the things that it can obtain for you, there are of course inheritances, but the equation remains the same, if you want things, you need money. That seems to be one of the truths about money, it is one thing that people want more of, and some not just because of what it can purchase, but just for the money itself. To look at a stack of money, a pile of gold or silver, and not see what they can be exchanged for, but just as they are, just for the sake of ownership, is the love of money, the items that money can buy would not be that love, but would be a love of that thing, a difference that few can see.
Most generally, those with enormous wealth do not shop at secondhand stores, the items they purchase are more finely crafted, more meticulous in their fabrication, and so of more value than mass produced material items, and here is where true love, at least in this earthly sense, comes to bear, the most expensive item that we own is rarely the one that we cherish the most. The difference between a Rolls Royce and that one photograph of a loved one is immeasurable, they cannot even be compared, one can be replaced, the other cannot. The value that we place upon what is truly important is relative to the emotional attachment that we place upon it, and here is where we deceive ourselves.
We see money in any form that it comes in, as security. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) What was important to that man could not be purchased with the world’s wealth. “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:37) You cannot barter with what you do not own. And perhaps most fitting, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.” (Prov. 11:4) And that day is coming for all of us, whether it be expected or unexpected, death is the great adversary to most people, and he does not care one bit if you are rich or poor.
Not many rich are called (Mark 10:25) because most rich people do not seek the eternal, but the next possession, they seek more of what they already have, and the inverse sadly is also true, the poor seek after that which they believe will bring them security and a form of “better” happiness, more money.
Here is where you must look within yourself, which would you rather have, one ton of gold, or what that gold could purchase. How long will the gold last? Unless some unseen force arrives, as long as you live, but does it serve any purpose just sitting there. How long would the majority of the items that you might purchase with all that gold last? Perhaps quite a while, but eventually they will wear out, and once they, and all the gold is gone, you are right back where you started, and where you will finish, with nothing.
This is the foolishness of the world. The starving man does not want gold, he who has much gold and does not spend it will starve. Once you understand this, then you can begin to understand Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” All earthly riches and desires must be discarded of if you desire to enter into the kingdom of God.
