MONEY, LOVE and TRAGEDY

There is no question that money plays a necessary role in living and a very important role in the aftermath of a tragedy.  When a tragedy strikes, there are often needs that require money to help alleviate suffering or provide for those effected by the tragedy.  Victims of tragedy are often faced with circumstances that require money and resources for recovery.  It requires money to help bring supplies to those devastated by storms, severe weather or natural disasters.  It also requires money to bring people to the places of helping those who are injured by tragedy.  Sometimes, money (or the lack of it) can even be an important factor leading to a tragedy, brought about from someone’s misguided actions.  If you were paying attention to the statements of Seung-Hui Cho (the VT Tragedy Shooter), you might even remember his railings against those he considered “rich” and hypocritical.  Money is also an element in the majority of crimes and is a leading reason why many couples are tragically separated or divorced.  Money often plays a role leading up to a tragedy and it certainly is needed in the aftermath of a tragedy.  So, is money a curse or a blessing?  I believe this all depends on where LOVE is in the process.  Just consider the current U.S. Stock Market crisis…

Anyone who is paying attention to the U.S. Stock Market or the Markets around the world will easily be reminded of how connected we all are to the Market exchanges of money and how, depending on the markets, each of our lives can be affected in positive or negative ways.  Billions of dollars were lost in the Markets last week and this impacted each of us to various degrees, depending upon our investment in the Markets and our ties to those companies who are invested there.   Unless the U.S. Government steps in to help in some way, there is a likelihood of a rapidly falling Market that would panic people as did the U.S. Stock Market Crash of 1929.  The Great Depression followed that crash.  Lives were drastically affected; many lost their fortunes and many became despondent and depressed, even to the point of taking their lives.

So, how does LOVE come into play?  You can either love money and things, which leads to using people or you can love people, which leads to using money and things to help them.  If we have the resources to help someone we know is in need and we fail to do so, we are not loving those people more than our own money.  The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:17:  “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”  The Apostle Paul warned the young Pastor, Timothy that, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”  (1 Timothy 6:10a).  Jesus said that, “you cannot serve God and mammon [riches/money]” (Luke 16:13b).  Having been impacted through my own personal tragedy, I am much more aware of the truth in these verses.

Friend, are you loving money and using people or loving people and using money?  Please be careful not to love money–you may just lose it and you certainly can’t take it with you.  Demonstrate your love to others by “putting your money where your mouth is.”   You will be blessed in giving from your heart and the LORD will reward you.  Especially look to how you can help people who are effected by tragedy.  They are in greater need.