Money, Money, Money - Martin Wiles

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 NLT

Famous for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, Johnny Depp now shines for something else: his extravagant lifestyle that costs him two million dollars a month.

Depp spent 75 million to buy, improve, and furnish fourteen houses around the world. Included is a forty-five-acre chateau in the south of France—valued at 13.5 million dollars. He also owns an island chain in the Bahamas, Hollywood houses, and downtown Los Angeles penthouse lofts. Topping this off is his Kentucky horse farm.

Depp has paid millions purchasing forty-five luxury cars. He also owns a 150-foot yacht which set him back eighteen million dollars. Since he refuses to fly commercially, he spends $200,000 a month to fly on a Gulfstream GV.

Perhaps his strangest expense is on wine. Depp puts out $30,000 a month to fly it in from all over the world. His forty full-time employees cost him $300,000 a month, and he has a total of $55,000 on a Visa card. (businessinsider.com)

There’s more, but this is more than I can conceive. Whether any of Depp’s pursuits are evil, I’m not here to judge. But he obviously loves money and what it can buy and maintain. “Money is the root of all evil” is a common misquote of what Paul actually says: “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”

Money in itself is neutral, like many other things. What I do with it determines whether it transforms into evil. In most economies around the world, money is necessary. It’s used to buy necessities and luxuries, to pay monthly bills, to pay medical expenses, and to purchase groceries.

But money carries a danger. Money can steal my focus from God and spiritual things and lead me in unhealthy directions. When it does, the root becomes evil and has the potential to direct me away from God.

Money is better used to promote God’s work through the local church, charitable organizations, and mission endeavors. When I use it this way, I put the focus on what’s most important.

Spending money on myself is easy; spending it on others is challenging. While doing the first is acceptable, doing the second is more honorable. 

Choose to spend some of yours on others. Help build the Kingdom of God.

Tweetable: Do you depend too much on money?

Prayer: Father, guide us to those people and places who need a little of our money. 

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