Comments on: Is Money Always A Blessing?

By: Scripture Zealot

Scripture Zealot — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:02 +0000

Thanks Mitchell. You can call me Jeff.

tom, I was thinking about making the distinction between money and materialism after reading your first post. I’m glad you did. And thanks for clarifying what you meant about translations. Good point!
Jeff

By: tomgdrums

tomgdrums — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:14:05 +0000

I think the Timothy quote I used reflects directly on the attitude of the African Missionaries. It is GOOD not to want to get sucked into materialism. We should all feel that way. But materialism and money are two different things. Materialism doesn’t need to money to exist in a person. Money doesn’t need, nor does it necessarily lead to materialism. The person’s attitude towards money and things is what leads one to materialism.

I may have been a bit off on my translations comment but what I was trying to allude to is that a lot of people bicker over what should be considered a blessing. We are fortunate and blessed to have an abundance of English translations. They (the main ones!) are all good and can all be edifying.

And I guess that is what I was alluding to. If God grants someone an abundance of money it is a blessing but the person must use it wisely and be a good steward.

God has seen fit to grant us an abundance of English Bible translations. That is a blessing!! It is we who turn it into a school lot, “my bike is cooler then your bike”, type of argument.

By: Mitchell Powell

Mitchell Powell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:11:32 +0000

Scripture Zealot — It’s a valid question to raise. And I think you’re right–money is something to be used and treated with caution.

By: Scripture Zealot

Scripture Zealot — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:42:17 +0000

I think you’ve made more of a comment on my subject line than anything rlse. I now think it’s poorly worded. Now you’ve ruined my self-esteem and I’ve lost my sense of purpose.

Good points. Thanks for the verse from earlier in Timothy.

For the love of translations is a root of all kinds of evils. ?

Jeff

By: tomgdrums

tomgdrums — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:17:56 +0000

I think we are meant to be good stewards of whatever God grants us. Money is just money. If God grants us an abundance of money we should be thankful and do our best to treat it and use it wisely and for good. We shouldn’t be afraid of money. As Paul said to Timothy:

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (ESV)

It isn’t the money! It is an out of control craving for more money which causes us to lose sight of the important things.

I think we should also all take this into consideration with some of the more vitriolic debates that occur over translations. When we get into heated debates about translations, what are we really debating about??