“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV

I remember when I was a child I was given $11 as a gift. I finally had my own money and I loved it. I was so worried that I might lose it. So, I hid the cash in one of the books on my bookshelf. I kept it safe there and felt delight knowing my money was secure within my room. But I ironically never actually used that cash. It sat in that book for weeks and then months. Finally, when I came back to look for the money, I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t remember which book I placed it in, and never found it again.

The wise teacher is warning us against the love of money. The key word here is love. Loving money is all about being extremely preoccupied with it. Picture Gollum from The Lord Of The Rings anxiously pining for “my precious.” His every waking thoughts are consumed with a desire to look at his precious golden ring and to fiddle with it in his hands. He loves it so much that he would harm other people if they tried to come between him and his precious.

You know you love money when you are easily bothered when people ask you for financial help. You are easily annoyed and wish people would leave your stuff alone. Your annoyance is a sign that you are loving money more than people. Also, consider how much time you spend thinking about your income and wealth. When your life’s driving passion becomes increasing your income, then you love money.

The problem with loving money is that it is a restless pursuit. It’s like driving towards a destination and never arriving. You see the oasis on the horizon, but you never arrive and drink it’s waters. You’re always pursuing in vain. Why? The love of money can’t satisfy the soul. Our souls weren’t designed to be satisfied by stuff. Only God–being loved by him and loving him in response–is capable of fulfilling our souls deepest need and longings. Trying to be satisfied by money–or anything other than God–is like trying to jam a square peg in a round hole.

Instead of loving money, we’re called to love God and love people. A loving relationship with God is where our soul actually experiences joy and satisfaction. When we love God first, then we can actually enjoy money as a gift and steward money as an act of worship. Instead of being chained by greed, we’re set free for generous living.

The love of money is a restless and vain pursuit. So, don’t fix your heart on it. Instead, look to God and find rest in relationship with Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30