DEEP DIVE: A LECTURE TAKEAWAY ON "THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE MONEY"

By Joshua Samuel Valido

Is money good for us? Or is it not?

Regardless of one's faith, be it Christian or non-Christian, money remains an essential priority. The necessity of money has been recognized for thousands of years, even prior to the dawn of civilization. By nature, humans have always engaged in exchanges, trading something for something else. Thus, we can conclude that money was conceived from the concepts of fairness and equality, where gaining is achieved through earning.

In his lecture, Bishop Paul Hernandez presented a well-rounded view on the role of money in our lives. He illustrated the undeniable truth that we need money to operate and sustain ourselves, echoing the sentiments expressed by the writer of Ecclesiastes, who pointed out that money can provide us with everything. Conversely, he also reminded us that as followers of Christ, we are advised against accumulating earthly treasures that can be eaten by moths or destroyed by rust. While this may appear contradictory, a deeper examination reveals the true meaning behind these teachings.

In Ecclesiastes, when it is stated that money is the answer to everything, Qoheleth—often referred to as "the teacher"—expressed this while reflecting on the "Ironies of life." His focus was primarily on the harsh realities of life in this world, where money is indeed essential. However, when he discussed life in its entirety, encompassing both the temporal and the eternal, he also declared that "everything is meaningless." From this, we can infer that the "everything" that money provides is temporary and lacks true significance. This aligns with Jesus' assertion that treasures on earth are subject to decay from rust and moths.

So, as followers of Christ, we must follow what the bible says about handling our finances. "Give God what is His, and Caesar what is his". Our tithes, offerings, and pledges should go to the church, while we pay our taxes as citizens of this country. "A wise man saves for the future". In this, the bible also teaches us about investment. "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." It also warned us about the dangers of lending. "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" In Hebrews, the bible teaches us not to be free from money but to be free from the "love of money". But above all else, what the bible teaches about our finances is our generosity.

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." — 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)

Now, the question remains: Is money inherently good or bad? The truth is, it is neither. Depending on your principle, we will have the good, the bad, and the money.

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