Last week, my parents and I were enjoying a conversation and they shared the following passage from Dr. David Jeremiah. My parents asked me what I thought DL Moody was referring to when he used the word 'care' in relation to 'getting riches'. Before I share my reply, please read the passage below:
Tuesday, August 27
How God Sees Money 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. 1 Timothy 6:10 | Recommended Reading 1 Timothy 6:6-10 |
In his book about heaven, D. L. Moody writes, "Somebody has said that getting riches brings care; keeping them brings trouble; abusing them brings guilt; and losing them brings sorrow. It's a great mistake to make so much of riches as we do."
As followers of Christ, we need God's wisdom in our approach to money. We need to view our checkbooks, bank accounts, and paychecks exactly as He does. He knows we have bills to pay. He knows we need to provide for our families and store up for rainy days. He also knows the brevity of life and the uselessness of money beyond the grave. The most valuable things are those He provides free of charge, like air to breathe and sunlight to bathe our faces. The Lord knows how to provide for us in every condition. The tentacles of greed wrap themselves around us when we substitute our wisdom for God's as it relates to money. May the Lord Jesus give us His wisdom as we remember that nothing we have belongs to us. We belong to Him, and all we have is His. As long as you want anything very much, especially more than you want God, it is an idol. A. B. Simpson, in Days of Heaven upon Earth
So, in reading this, I wonder a few things. When asked the question, it was put in the context that the word 'riches' is referring directly to money. I would love to read where DL Moody actually writes this passage because I wonder if the concept could be applied to all riches. For example, I don't particularly have a lot of money, may at times think that if I had a little more then my life might be easier, but I always somehow have enough to meet my needs. In other ways, I am tremendously blessed, such as with faith and a hopeful positive outlook. I have found that this 'riches' requires great responsibility because it can be a detriment if I don't use it wisely. -It can be a turn-off, or even misperceived.
The other thing I wondered was, what does he mean by the word 'care'? So I looked it up and this definition hit me: "serious attention or consideration to doing something correctly to avoid damage or risk" Some of the synonyms listed are: discretion, forethought and mindfulness... WOW!!! -Then I read the small print.... the antonym is careless; I immediately inferred 'sloppy' and thought about care-less, and not caring; and then read this: "a feeling of or occasion for anxiety", it also refers to the cares of the world, which bring anxiety, sorrow, worry, trouble.... ouch! Thank God, His Word tells us to 'cast all your cares upon me' !!!
In answer to the question, what is care referring to?, I believe this: that acquiring riches, yes of any sort, brings the responsibility of mindful, diligent use; this might be stressful but with God's help, we can accomplish this. He warns us that much is required of him who has, and He comforts us that He will not let us endure anything that we cannot handle together with Him. This is my take; would love to hear all of yours!!!
- 2.serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk."he planned his departure with great care"
synonyms: caution, carefulness, heedfulness, heed, attentiveness More "handle with care""she chose her words with care"antonyms: carelessness
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