By Tope Banso
“A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19 New King James Version).
Riches delude the owners that, with money, they can get anything. Rich people are deceived to think that with their wealth they can achieve anything they desire. They think they can buy their way through. They believe that they can buy over anybody, because they believe that everyone has a price.
To them, just as Solomon, an extremely wealthy king said, “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything” (Ecclesiastes 10:19 New King James Version). The World English Bible says, “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.”
Money answers all things! That statement is relative. Money may answer everything needed to organize a lavish party with so much to eat and drink, but money does not answer everything in life. It is not the answer for all things.
Here is one limitation of money or riches the Bible points out: “Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches–none of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their life is costly, No payment is ever enough, that he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption” (Psalm 49:7-9 World English Bible).
There were rich people who would have agreed to pay anything just to avoid death, but when death came, it didn’t go into any deal them! It didn’t demand money in any currency! Death is no respecter of persons – it comes for the rich and the poor. The New Living Translation renders Ecclesiastes 10:19b as “money gives everything!” Money may be able to help someone to live a healthy life, but it can never give him immortality!
Of a truth, many things are, but not everything is about money! Money can give laughter, but it can’t give enduring joy or peace of mind! It is true many people can be compromised with money, but some people have integrity and their consciences are not for sale.
Children of God, living a holy life, are conscious that God has already bought them with a high price (1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23). The precious blood of Jesus (1Peter1:18-19). Therefore, they’re not available for a buyer. How much can compromise your integrity? If you name your price, there’s someone ready to pay you off.
Money doesn’t answer all things, because not everything is for sale. That was what Naboth the Jezereelite, by his principled position, told King Ahab who wanted him to give him his vineyard near his place in exchange for a better vineyard or sell it to him. Ahab wanted to have Naboth’s vineyard for a vegetable garden. “But Naboth said to Ahab, ‘The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!’” (1 Kings 21:3 New King James Version).
Naboth refused to sell his family inheritance in line with the Word of God to the Israelites. Unless in an exceptional case of poverty, land was not to be sold; and even in that situation, the seller could buy it back. A near relation also had the right to buy it back to avoid a family permanently losing possession of the land. In addition, at the Year of the Jubilee (every 50th year) the land must be returned to the original family that owned the land (Leviticus 25:23-28).
Ahab could not buy Naboth with money, but Ahab’s wife eventually got him killed for her husband to possess the vineyard. Money does not answer everything and not everybody answers to money.
Simon the sorcerer couldn’t buy the anointing of God on Peter. Peter was not for sale! In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer offered money to Peter to receive power that anyone he laid hands on would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin” (Acts 8:20- 23). Evidently Simon didn’t expect that his offer would be rejected.
The Contemporary English Version says, “Eating and drinking make you feel happy, and bribes can buy everything you need” (Ecclesiastes 10:19b). But there are still men and women with honour who will not worship mammon. Such people don’t collect bribe. Are you one of them? “Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right” (Exodus 23:8 New Living Translation).
Deuteronomy 16:19 says, “You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly” (New Living Translation). The Bible says anyone who hates bribes will live (Proverbs 15:27b). “Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:7 New Living Translation). The Bible condemns bribery repeatedly. Avoid it.
Money is important to man, but don’t let it replace God in your life. Money has limitations; God has no limitation. Money can fail; God does not and can never fail. With God all things are possible; with money some things are impossible. Money is not the answer to everything. Money cannot buy the gifts of God, the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit. These are not for sale.
Put your faith in God, not in your bank accounts. Money can finish; God is inexhaustible – unlimited! Don’t worship money; worship God. You should serve God with your money, but don’t try to serve God and money! You can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Avoid the love of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Hebrews 13:5a). Let money be your servant, not your master.
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I shall put my faith in you, not in my bank accounts. I shall not worship money, but You.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For over 250 in-depth and insightful messages by T.O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister and pastor heads Cedar Ministry International, and available at these addresses:cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com; Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523 ; WhatsApp No: +2349081295947