MONEY

Money is commonly understood as a medium of exchange and a way to settle payments for goods, services, debts, and taxes. Its value rests on shared social agreement, and the worth people assign to it. The Bible refers to money more than two thousand times and warns, “For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). America, this warning helps explain the wrongdoing surrounding the Trump Administration’s policy decisions. President Trump’s officials appear to place money above people. For example, the administration includes five billionaires and more than fifty-seven millionaires worth over $100 million.

Working- and middle-class Americans are not central to the governing agenda; instead, they are treated as an afterthought—out of sight and out of mind. Of course, fools and their money soon part ways, because they do not understand that, in a capitalist society, money should provide protection, not merely fuel spending. Secular societies oft en elevate money to the place of God. As a result, money becomes a source of stress when individuals treat it as an object of worship rather than as a medium of exchange for goods and services.

This is why the Bible declares: “Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me” (Hebrews 13:5). Glory hallelujah to the King of all would-be kings. Learning contentment is true success. Living with less is far more spiritually rewarding than constantly needing, wanting, or accumulating more. In Matthew 6:19, Jesus teaches the disciples about money: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6: 19-21).

Money is a tool that should be used to provide food, clothing, and shelter. When people use money to pursue world vanity, they risk becoming enslaved by it and increasing the stress in their own lives as well as in the lives of others. Th e Bible reminds us that a fool and his money are soon parted. America, we must remember that, especially in a capitalist society, money should offer protection rather than fuel vain spending. Therefore, when dealing with money, we should heed Matthew 6: 19- 21, and above all, embrace Proverbs 26:4: “Answer not a fool according to

The post MONEY appeared first on African American News and Issues.