For Love Of Money

For Love of Money

Delilah

Read: Judges 16:4-5

I wonder what Kent is doing these days. . . . Marie shook her head. These fleeting thoughts of her high-school sweetheart had become a common occurrence lately. Marie had cared for Kent deeply and had dated him for three years. The problem was his lack of ambition. He was satisfied working in his dad’s hometown business, but Marie had big goals. She planned to enjoy plenty of money—something she had done without while growing up. Now she had achieved her dreams. She was married to a CEO and had a career of her own, but lately, her big house seemed so empty in the evenings. It just didn’t seem like enough anymore.

Delilah also seemed to be motivated by money when her fellow Philistines asked her to betray Samson. She might also have been motivated by the fact that Samson was an Israelite and therefore hated by her people. Maybe she felt flattered that rich, powerful men came seeking her help. But Delilah would have needed stronger morals than she possessed to resist the extraordinary amount of money the Philistine rulers offered her in return for the secret of Samson’s superhuman strength. Looking forward to becoming an incredibly wealthy woman, Delilah sank to a new low as she coolly devised a plan to betray the man who was infatuated with her.

A love of money can entice us into all sorts of evil situations, although we’re not a Philistine woman with low morals. There’s nothing wrong with wanting enough money so that we can live comfortably, and God often blesses believers with wealth. But the Bible warns against the desire to get rich instead of being content with what we have. Chasing after riches instead of godly virtue opens us to temptations in all areas of our lives. Despite our society’s beliefs, money can’t buy happiness. No amount of wealth is worth betraying our principles and integrity.

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10