MONEY ADDICTION
ADDICTION
“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase, This also is vanity» (Ecclesiastes 5: 10 ).
The Bible does not condemn the possession of money or assets. It was considered Jehovah’s blessing when Abraham, Isaac and Jacob amassed riches (Gen. 26: 12; 31; Job 1:3). Joseph of Arimathea was rich (Matt. 27:57) as well as righteous and good (Luke 23:50), and he was the one who asked for the body of Jesus from Pilate to bury it. It is God who gives the power to acquire riches (Deut. 8: 18). However, the Scriptures warn against the love of money (Matt. 6:19-24; Luke 18:25; I Tim. 3:3; 6:10) perhaps because God knows that money can be so absorbing and diverts our attention from seeking His Kingdom.
An attitude of attachment to money can take us to addiction. is how the whole process works: a) the subject starts off by several financial successes and experiences the pleasure of seeing his assets grow by using new investments; b) when there is a growth in revenue, he ventures into more risky businesses; c) facing setbacks, he suffers disappointments and anger and surrenders himself to desperate thoughts («I’ll lose everything!»); d) his obsession with earning more is dominates his lite absorbs too much of his time and effort; e) he realizes (by himself or by being warned) that he is stuck; f) he plans to find a way out of this vicious circle, but he fails. As a consequence, his relationship with work, family or church worsens, and he is at risk of suffering stress, anxiety and depression. The process is surprisingly similar to chemical addictions.
Even if money problems are more common among the wealthy, the low-income people are not free from feeling attracted to money. One day, Lord Congleton 1805-1883) heard his cook sighing:
«Oh! If only I had five pounds, I would be happy!»
In his desire of seeing the woman happy, Lord Congleton took out of his pocket a five-pound note and said:
«There you have it!»
The servant enthusiastically thanked her master for the gesture. After Congleton left the kitchen, he waited in silence to listen. Instantly, she exclaimed:
«What a pity I didn’t say ten!»
The key is where we set our hearts on. Are we grateful for what we have or are we disappointed with what we do not have? Today, make this your prayer, «Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God» Prov. 30:8, 9).
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala