MONEY , BY IFIDON BENSON
Money is an essential tool in the existence of man. It is used for the transaction of all kinds of businesses. It is a parameter used in adjudging the world. The have it is appraised while the have not is censured. This money that we crave for now would be useless at the end. Money is very important no doubt, but as important as this money is, a time is coming when it will flow on the street and there will be no one to pick. To some it doesn’t matter what it takes to get it. After all what is important is its acquisition. Little wonder we go to any length in quest of it.
Thou shall not kill, that is the Lord’s command, but, some lay their hands on their fellow being in order to be rich. This they do with all impunity. What type of money do you want? Blood money, is this in conformity with the ethics of God or humanity? Remember Cain, when he killed his younger brother Abel, not even for money but out of annoyance and acceptance of his sacrifice. Did God ask him the where about of Abel? For the blood of your brother Abel cries unto Me. Was the Lord pleased with the action of Cain?
Money is good and can upturn many things and relieve man but the love of money is the root of evil. In the world we live today, almost everybody love money. Because of this love, they go to the extent of assassination, theft, armed robbery, burglary and breaking, sales of human and their parts, kidnapping and all forms of wicked and atrocious acts. The essence of these is meant to acquire wealth. A thing that is ephemeral. This much treasured thing causes pains and imminent death. Where is the enjoyment, if your money cannot give you comfort?
Some have this money but are in perpetual bondage and fear because the implication of their action. Why on earth should one use his/her manhood for this purpose? Where is the joy, when you are dead alive? Of what use is the money when your obligation to your wife is extinct? Due to the sin committed, the innocent woman is challenged; consequent on that, she is seen committing adultery. Had the man consider the position of the wife along the plan and love of God, such an inhuman and dastard act could have been avoided.
Will money be in use in heaven? If money would be in use in heaven, then, it is a thing worth fighting and scrambling to acquire. On the contrary, it would make no sense to work assiduously to acquire this money and at the end it will be useless. Probably, there may be some areas perhaps where money determines heavenly status. Those areas if real, I would like to know. Thus far, the scripture is clear about the stand of man at death. “For the living knows that they will die but the dead knows nothing” Eccl. 9:5. At death, everything is over. Whatever you might have acquired that had not been used before death is definitely meant for the living and not the diseased. The best that goes with him, as at that time, is a timely obsequy which ends in his six feet grave. Dust you are, dust you go to at the end.
Like the foolish man who had enough harvest so much so that he enlarged his barn. He was very delighted that he had been able to get so much for himself and the family. Out of excitement, he coveted the praise of the Lord to himself my soul rejoice and be glad for you will have more to eat for some years. Of course, that was the truth, he made the material wealth that could sustain him, but the Lord took his life that very night. What about that? All the efforts and eulogies of self were in vain. The scripture did not say, he was given anything at death. He thought really that things had taken shape, but his thought was wrong. “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand”. Prov. 18:21. “A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps”. Prov.16:9.
Human goes in pursuance of money at all cost because they want to be recognize. My friend, you may not have the money but when you have Christ you have something which money cannot buy. That Christ gives comfort, joy, peace, love, security, wisdom, life and above all, salvation. If we realize that we are on a journey here on earth and at the end that we will go to our master, then, our orientation about money should be redefined. Solomon as wealthy as he was, and as knowledgeable as he appeared to be, wrote that the world is a flux and that there is nothing on earth. At death, despite his wealth, went with nothing. Why do we go to the extreme to kill because of this object that is transitory?
Ezekiel 7:19 says “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them. In the day of the wrath of the Lord; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumbling block of iniquity”. What a loss! This is all you have devoted your time and energy for during your years on earth, but, now that which cost you a lot to acquire is the cause of your destruction. What a pity, decision is best taken, when there is still life. For man’s tomorrow is God’s too late. For those who desire to serve him at their leisure time missed out. Like the encounter of Paul with King Agrippa. “King Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian”’. Acts 26:27-28. At the time of this conversation, heaven was opened and the angels of the Lord were on ground ready to accept and take possession of him. He denied the opportunity which he never had again all through his life. Therefore, do not refuse the Spirit anytime you have the opportunity for you never can tell what happens next. For that could be your opportunity, therefore, do not afford to miss it.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37. Mind you, your money is only needed here on earth and very useless in heaven. Decide where you wish to be and act on it immediately. For man’s tomorrow is God’s too late. The time for action is now.
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Ifidon Benson is a product of Edo State University Ekpoma. He studied English Education. He has taught the Subject for over a decade. At the moment he is a master’s degree holder in Literature from the University of Lagos. A creative writer and a frelancer with Daily Champion Newspapers Limited. He does some part-time lecturing job with Olabisi Onabanjo University consult.
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