Let’s start out by reading 1st Timothy 6:9-10: “But THOSE WHO DESIRE TO BE RICH fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For THE LOVE OF MONEY is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (NKJV).

I would draw your attention to the capitalized words in this passage. MONEY is NOT the root of evil, but rather THE LOVE OF MONEY. Money, in and of itself is not evil; in fact, we need money to buy food, clothing, a house, and many other necessities of life. It’s when we DESIRE TO BE RICH that money becomes a “temptation and a snare.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stood in a long line of people at a gas station while they are choosing their Powerball or Lottery ticket. Some of those people are dressed shabbily and drive rundown cars, but they are so obsessed with “winning the Big One” that they are willing to part with the little money they have with hopes to become filthy rich overnight. If they aren’t saved, they may indeed “drown…in destruction and perdition” due to their love of money. If they are saved, they may have “strayed from the faith in their greediness” and will surely “pierce themselves through with many sorrows.”

Now, as to the church asking for money, it is a crying shame to see a church, or a radio/television ministry, pleading for money. And this is made worse when they are appealing to the world at large, for in the beginning of the church’s history they were careful to NOT take money from unbelievers. Listen to the Apostle John’s words in 3rd John 5-7: “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, TAKING NOTHING FROM THE GENTILES.” John was encouraging the saints to help missionaries as they journeyed from place to place. I take it he is referring to giving them financial support. In doing this, they would be sending “them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God.” Then John adds, “because they went forth for His name’s sake, TAKING NOTHING FROM THE GENTILES.” These traveling evangelists looked to the Lord alone to meet their needs, knowing that He would provide for them through His own people. They would NOT accept financial support from unsaved men and women! So, it is indeed a shame and a dishonor to the Lord to appeal to the unconverted masses for money. The fact is when the church appeals to the world for money they are sending them a “mixed message,” for they are trying to show them that salvation is the free gift of God and then they stumble them by making them think they can earn salvation by giving money. We are to “live by faith,” trusting the Lord to provide for our needs. If we do, we will experience His faithfulness in meeting every need. We will then find ourselves echoing the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:19: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Paul had just thanked the saints at Philippi for the financial gift they had sent to him (see verses 14-18), but in verse 19 he confesses that it is God alone Who has met his need and Who will meet their needs as well.  (225.1)  (DO)