Is the Bible Keeping You Broke

Does God want us to be poor?

If there's one thing I'm sick and tired of, it's church folks--not to be confused with Christians--using the bible to stay broke. Yes, the bible does teach us that the poor will always be with us, but nowhere did it say that the poor would be me.

This I know, and that is, if you're looking for a reason to get up, you'll find it. And if you're looking for an excuse to stay down, you'll find that too. That's why it's usually the lazy, apathetic folks who quote 1 Timothy 6:10 the loudest, The love of money is the root of all evil. They've found the excuse...errr, scripture, they need to justify not getting up and creating the life they really want.

So, what does the bible really say about money?

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

This verse is so often misquoted that it is ridiculous. The love of money is evil, not money itself. Having $1 million in the bank doesn’t mean that you love it anymore than having $5 in there proves that you don’t.

Who would you say loves money more, Bill Gates because he's a billionaire, or the thug who won't work, but instead carjacks someone for a joy ride or kills someone for $20?

Acts 20:35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

This verse is usually quoted by folks who are on the receiving end of your giving. And for some reason they've never read 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Oprah is a great humanitarian who gives, gives and gives. And there are some who accuse her of being all about the mighty dollars. But, the more she gives, the more she gets. It's like when we buy a bag of chips. The bag is filled by weight, and you'll notice that when it settles down, there's lots of room left. In Jesus' market, he would fill up the bag, press it down, shake it up to get all of the air out, and then fill it again, so you had a completely filled, running over bag of chips.

God wants to bless us until it overflows.

What are your feelings about money and the bible?

Lisa Maria Carroll