Money’s also referred to as “filthy lucre,” that is, something that is filthy. In 1 Timothy 3 and 3, in talking about the qualifications of elders, he said one could not serve if he’s “greedy of filthy lucre.”

Money’s also referred to as being something that’s “unrighteous.” In Luke, the 16^th chapter, and verse 11, [Jesus says,] “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [unrighteous money], who will commit to your trust the true riches? Now, I will not say anymore about that verse, because we’ll talk about it later.

Money’s also referred to as something that’s “uncertain.” In 1 Timothy, the 6^th chapter and verse 17, when Paul was talking to Timothy, telling Timothy what to preach, he said, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches….” Now, think with me for just a moment. Why do you suppose that Paul told Timothy to tell the people not to put their trust in “uncertain riches,” unless there was potential danger there—unless man would likely do that, unless he’s taught better? So he said, “You charge them not to put their trust in uncertain riches.”

In 1 Timothy, the 6^th chapter, beginning with verse 6, Paul said, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Now, notice its: “ 9 But they that will be rich…” Not necessarily the rich… “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Now, listen to verse 10: “10 For the love…of money…is the root…of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows,” [1 Timothy 6:6-10].

Now, why do you suppose that God is giving us all these potential warnings about money, and the potential danger of the material things of this life? If every member of the Lord’s church today was giving as God had prospered him, we could actually evangelize the world. No question about it. We have ministers to evangelize the world; we have modern communications now; we have ministers that can do it. But the reason we’re not doing it is because we’ve never been truly converted—and when I say “we”, I’m talking about the church as a whole, and not certain individuals. Every congregation, as far as I know, has as least a few liberal givers in that church. I’ve never been to a church but what they had some liberal givers in the church, but there’s so many churches that do not give as God has prospered them.

And you my keep this in mind: One can begin with the first chapter in Genesis and read through the last chapter of Revelation, and we cannot find where anybody on any occasion, under any circumstances, ever gave less that one tenth of his income to God. And we talk about “speaking where the Bible speaks,” then try to find that. Just try to find some place in the Bible where somebody on some occasion gave less that a tenth of his income to God. Well, somebody says, “Ananias and Sapphira may have done it [Acts 5].” Well, they wouldn’t count because God struck them dead for lying about their giving! So, you couldn’t count them. So it becomes a serious thing when we think about it—far more serious than most of us ever realized.

On one occasion, there was a young, rich ruler who saw Jesus Christ. And the Bible says he came running to Jesus and knelt down before Him. He didn’t stand as I’m standing, talking to you. He fell down on his knees. And he asked, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do to inherit the kingdom of heaven?” I think he was sincere in that. I think he really wanted to go to heaven. And I think he was a good man. In fact, he’s one of the best moral men I think I ever read about. Notice the great qualities: Number One—He was young; Number Two—He was rich; Number Three—He was a ruler. My, what a powerful man, and I’ve often thought, what a great apostle he would have made…if he had just been a faithful steward of God with the material things of this life. Because when Jesus Christ said, “Keep the commandments,” he was so righteous that he asked, “Which commandments?” And Jesus Christ gave him some: “…Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother….” Why, he said, “All these things have I kept from my youth up….” And he was so good morally that he asked Jesus, “…what lack I yet?” “Could there be something in my life that I’ve overlooked?”

I’m not that righteous. I wouldn’t have to ask Jesus, “Is there something in my life that I’ve overlooked?” [The young man is saying,] “I’ve kept all the commandments of God, as far as I know.” And Jesus says, “Yes, there is one thing you lack.” He said, “Go sell what you have, give to the poor, take up your cross and follow Me, and then you’ll have treasure in heaven.”

And the Bible says, this young man turned and walked away sorrowful. What all is implied in that word “sorrowful” I don’t know. He may have cried his heart out. [The young man is thinking,] “I just can’t do that. I’m wedded to these material things. I love these material things. I love them more than I love eternal life. I’ve been a righteous man in so many ways, but I just cannot depart [part] with this money.” Why? Because money had become his god. [He’s saying,] “I can’t renounce that god.”

Then Jesus Christ turned to His disciples and said, “They that are rich shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” I want you to turn and read that verse. Will you turn there? Mark, the 10^th chapter, and verse 23. Turn there and read this verse, because I want you to see the power of riches—what it can do to a man. I want you to understand what a good man this person [the rich, young ruler] was, morally speaking. And notice verse 23: “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of heaven [God]!” He didn’t say it was impossible; He just said it’s going to be hard for a rich person to get to heaven.

Well, someone might ask, “Why does this bother you?” It bothers me because I am a rich person. And I’m not being facetious. I really think of myself as being a rich man.