Well…recently we have this locally produced movie MONEY NOT ENOUGH 2. It spotlight on the lives of the everyman in Singapore while poking fun at our uniquely Singaporean mentality and our government policies. At the same time, the movie hits home on common predicaments faced by families while addressing our eroding virtues.
For a believer, this is what the bible says about money.
In Proverb 23:4-5, we are specifically warned not to work to be rich:
“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches surely make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.
And in Timothy 6:10-11, we are warned about the love of money.
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteouness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
We are constantly challenged and whenever we hear how rich and famous our peers are, we tends to feel pangs of envy and wonder how we measure up to their success according to the world’s standard. Do you experience that? At times like this, we can surely be comforted by Psalm 73 where the psalmist admits his envy over the seeming prosperity of the wicked, but in the end, he is reminded it is good to draw near to God and declare it is His work and not our own.
A psalm of Asaph.
1Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong. [a]
5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity [b] ;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance. [c]
11 They say, “How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
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