Money Mondays

I'm dedicating Mondays to talking a bit about finances. I don't like to talk about it all that much from the pulpit, nor in classes (I worry that it will come out wrong), so I figured this was a good place to bring about some thoughts on the subject...
1 Timothy 6:9 "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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."
The big thing on this Scripture is to point out that money is not a root of all kinds of evil, rather the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil. It amazes me, what people are willing to do chasing after the mighty dollar. They will work an absolutely rotten job, so they can afford to take that big vacation that only takes up about 3% of the entire year; the rest of the time they are miserable. Parents will forgo important events in the lives of their children under the guise of working to provide a better life for them. By the time it is all said and done, money was chased after for so long that when the golden calf of retirement comes, they are shocked that retirement isn't the perfection it is cracked up to be. All of these things sound both foolish and harmful that ultimately lead to ruined families and more destructive behavior (see the Scripture above).
The truth is we have to work to put food on the table, clothing on our families, and a roof over our heads. Furthermore we are required to do it with excellence as a representive of Jesus Christ. Just check yourself today and make sure that your spouse, children, or friends aren't unnecessarily suffering because money has become too much of an obsession in your life.
Stay tuned next Monday for more money talk.