The love of money

By KNOX HERNDON
Pastor

It's always been interesting to me what people will do for the stuff! There has been a lot of energy around this subject. There are even TV programs like "Want to be a Millionaire?"

Does anyone remember the old black and white TV show called "The Millionaire?" If anyone reading this does not know what black and white TV was, you probably won't be able to follow the rest of the article.

This TV show always started with a scene from behind a large high back leather executive chair. You saw a man with a dark suit and tie walk into the executive's office. The man who was sitting in the executive chair was talking and you never saw his face, only the back of his chair.

The next scene was him holding out his long arm and giving the man in the dark suit a check for one million dollars. He would always say "Michael, our next millionaire."

The very popular theme of the show was to see how the money affected the lives of ordinary people. When the money was delivered to the individual, he or she was told that there were only two stipulations about the money. First you couldn't tell anyone where it came from and secondly, you had to spend it. Usually the money so drastically changed their lives that it usually brought much grief, not a blessing!

Just to test your memory (you must be over 45 to answer the following questions):

1. What was the name of the executive who gave the money each week?

2. What was the name of the man in the dark suit who delivered the checks to the unsuspecting individuals?

I am told that it is the long-term memory that lasts, and the short term memory leaves first. (If I could just remember the reason I am writing this article, we could continue.)

The man behind the executive chair was John Barres Fertipton and the man who always delivered the check was Michael. I can't remember his last name. It might have been Anthony. If anyone knows, please e-mail me.

Anyway this theme of money seems to be the most important theme in people's lives today. When this black-and-white TV program was on, you seriously would have had a hard time spending that kind of money. By today's standards you could do it within a few hours or days for sure.

Is money bad, then? Certainly not; however; there is a real pitfall connected with it. In fact, if you fall into this pit, it can affect your heart. If it affects your heart, then it can be fatal. If it is fatal, then it's all over. Not to say that it is all over for the believer in Christ, but He said in His Word that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Strong words about money.

We all go to buy gas at our local gas stations, now called convenience stores. If you go into the store to pay for gas or pick up a quart of oil, you may encounter long lines of people all trying to get rich, taking their chances on the numbers.

Money is great stuff; it can build a church or fund a missionary for the cause of Christ. It can support many charities and be used to eradicate disease or educate someone who can't afford an education. The list is endless of what it can do.

Some of the strongest words in the Bible are about money. His Word says, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Wow, is this the same stuff that can do all this good and yet can be the root of all evil? No, not the money, but the love of it. Because the love of it can fill a book of all the crime, and heartache it can and will cause a man or a woman and his or her family.

Let me quickly share here what can and will make you happy and you won't have to stand in line at the convenience store hoping to score the right numbers. It is the simple message with three points and these points are why people are standing in line hoping to win. People think that when they win that they will receive three things:

1. They will be loved!

2. They will be forgiven for the past!

3. They will be "somebody" because they are now rich The opposite is true on all fronts!

If they win the lottery, their family and friends will all hate them. The past is forever there and they are the same person they were before they bought the ticket.

The only way to accomplish the above three items is through the simple gospel message that when one receives Christ he or she is "loved, forgiven for the past, and are somebody." Long live the Gospel Message and it's free!!

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon is pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). The Rev. Greg Mausz is senior associate pastor. The Rev. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is just below Fayetteville, on Ga. Highway 85, a mile south of Ga. Highway 16, just below the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail KHERN2365@aol.com. The church's new Web site is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.