1228 – The Love of Money 贪恋钱财

1 Timothy 6:10-11 (NKJV) 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. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Godliness is not measured based on our affluence or net worth. Both the rich and the poor can have their trust in money and have it as an idol in their lives. It is the love of money, the trust in money and covetousness that has caused it to become an idol in our lives. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil. One can love mammon more than God regardless whether one is rich or poor. Money is neutral because all of us will need it to survive and to pay our bills while we are living on earth. God will continue to deal with the issue in our hearts if we have allowed idolatry to creep into our lives.

The Jews believe that prosperity comes to them when God is pleased with them. It has to do with their observation of the Mosaic covenant which is a conditional covenant. However, we know that the Law is a school master who teaches us what sin is but it can never make us righteous. If righteousness can come by the law then Christ would have died in vain. Therefore, Jesus’ disciples went from being astonished to greatly astonished when Jesus mentioned that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God because they were affluent people who owned businesses and had money. Jesus later clarified that it is difficult for those who TRUST in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God because riches had become an idol in their lives. Jesus also mentioned that while it is impossible with men, it is possible with God that rich people are able to enter God’s kingdom. What Jesus meant was, one can have huge amount of possessions without allowing money to become an idol in our lives. The key is to know that the source of our provision is God and that we are stewards of His riches.

Jesus was not against anyone having money or being rich but He was against money being the god in their lives. Jesus wasn’t poor when he was ministering on earth because Judas was in charge of the money box. The money was provided by people who supported Jesus’ ministry after He had ministered to them. The money that Jesus had in the money box was able to provide for Himself, the twelve disciples when they were following Jesus and also to give to the poor when the occasions arose. Therefore, the real issue is not having more than enough money but when money begins to dictate our lives or has control over us. While we are not saved by the law or good works including giving up our worldly possessions but we are definitely saved to do good works including helping the poor.

Sermon Series : Balancing Godliness and Riches (Part 1)


贪恋钱财

提摩太前书 6:10-11 贪财是万恶之根。有人贪恋钱财,就被引诱离了真道,用许多愁苦把自己刺透了。但你这属 神的人,要逃避这些事,追求公义、敬虔、信心、爱心、忍耐、温柔。

敬虔不是以我们的富裕程度或净资产来衡量的。富人和穷人都有可能信靠钱财,并将其当作生命中的偶像。正是对钱财的贪恋,对钱财的信靠以及贪婪,使它成为了我们生命中的偶像。贪财才是万恶之根。一个人无论是富有还是贫穷,他都有可能爱玛门多过爱 神。金钱是中性的,因为我们活在世上的每一天都需要它来生存和支付账单。如果我们已经让偶像崇拜潜入到我们的生命中,那么 神将会继续处理我们心中的这问题。

犹太人相信当神喜悦他们时他们就会亨通。这与他们所遵守的摩西之约有关,这是一个带有条件的盟约。然而,我们知道律法有如一位教导我们知罪的老师,但却不能使我们称义。义若是借着律法得的,基督就是徒然死了。因此,当耶稣对门徒说有钱财的人进 神的国是何等的难,门徒从稀奇变得分外稀奇,因为他们都是富裕的人,拥有生意,也有钱财。耶稣随后澄清,那些信靠财富的人很难进 神的国,是因为财富已成他们生命中的偶像。耶稣接着也提到,虽然在人是不能,在 神凡事都能,使有钱人也可以进 神的国。耶稣的意思是一个人可以拥有庞大的财产,同时又不让金钱成为我们生命中的偶像。关键是要知道我们供应的源头是 神,我们是 祂财富的管家。

耶稣并不反对任何人拥有钱财或富有,祂反对的是金钱成为他们生命中的偶像。耶稣在世上服事的时候并不穷,因为有加略人犹大掌管钱箱。耶稣服事了众人之后,他们又出钱支持祂的事工。耶稣在钱箱里的钱足以供给 祂自己以及跟从 祂的十二个门徒,并在有需要之时也施舍给穷人。因此,真正的问题不在于拥有很多钱财,而在于当钱财开始支配我们的生命或掌控了我们之时。虽然我们得救不是因着律法或善行,包括舍弃我们的世俗财产,但我们得救绝对是为了行善,包括帮助贫穷和缺乏的人。

讲章系列:平衡敬虔与财富(第一部分)