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Wrong Attitudes toward Money
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
1 Timothy 6:3–5
Shortly before World War II, a Dutch artist named Han van Meegern who had been dismissed by critics hatched a plan. He painted a work using the technique of Vermeer and submitted it as a genuine masterpiece. The critics hailed it, and it was exhibited as a newly discovered masterwork. Originally van Meegern planned to reveal the hoax and his role in it to embarrass his detractors, but when he realized the huge price the painting would bring, he decided instead to sell it and pocket the money.
He eventually sold the painting to a Nazi collector after German forces conquered the Netherlands. After the war, when the victorious Allies were returning artwork to original owners, they called on van Meegern. When he could not produce proof that he had purchased the painting (since he had forged it himself), he was arrested and charged as a collaborator. Officials did not believe his eventual confession until he painted an identical copy and revealed himself as a skilled forger.
The desire for material wealth has led many people astray. Most people do not go to the extreme of van Meegern, but many have sacrificed principles and truth for the sake of financial benefit. Jesus made it clear that we must choose between loving God and money. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
1 Timothy 6:3–5
Shortly before World War II, a Dutch artist named Han van Meegern who had been dismissed by critics hatched a plan. He painted a work using the technique of Vermeer and submitted it as a genuine masterpiece. The critics hailed it, and it was exhibited as a newly discovered masterwork. Originally van Meegern planned to reveal the hoax and his role in it to embarrass his detractors, but when he realized the huge price the painting would bring, he decided instead to sell it and pocket the money.
He eventually sold the painting to a Nazi collector after German forces conquered the Netherlands. After the war, when the victorious Allies were returning artwork to original owners, they called on van Meegern. When he could not produce proof that he had purchased the painting (since he had forged it himself), he was arrested and charged as a collaborator. Officials did not believe his eventual confession until he painted an identical copy and revealed himself as a skilled forger.
The desire for material wealth has led many people astray. Most people do not go to the extreme of van Meegern, but many have sacrificed principles and truth for the sake of financial benefit. Jesus made it clear that we must choose between loving God and money. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
Today’s Growth Principle:
If you love money, you will never be able to love God as you should.
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