Money is highly effective in facilitating transactions. However, the love of money has also been labelled as the root of all evil. We must explore the factors that have led to this perception. This necessitates considering the need to be as wise as a serpent but as harmless as a dove. The important question is whether it is possible to be in business without the profit motive. The Bible does not contradict itself; it is indeed possible to be in business without the love of money. Once this is clarified, ethical businesses should be established, in contrast to those founded solely to make money. It is impossible to be a Christian without understanding the differences.
“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting power. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:3-16 NKJV)
The individual who conceptualized money as a medium of exchange should be recognized for their brilliance. Money is the sole medium that facilitates commercial transactions. Therefore, money itself is not a bad concept; rather, as Paul suggests, it is the love of money that has caused problems. This is clearly highlighted in the aforementioned Scripture. It is essential to critically analyze different types of businesses to understand how the love of money arises. The misconception is to assume that the primary purpose of establishing a business is to make a profit.
The primary purpose of establishing a business is to provide a service or a product to the intended clientele. Without that clarity, one can easily fall into the problems highlighted by Paul. Christianity itself is a business establishment, with Jesus as its entrepreneur. The net benefit of that business consists of the souls of humanity. Christianity was never established to make a profit but to redeem souls, a profit considered more valuable than money, as lasting for eternity. For those intending to be involved in Jesus’ business enterprise, it is advisable to forget about how one’s life is going to be sustained.
The physical survival becomes no longer of concern. Jesus advised such people never to worry about physical survival necessities, but worry about the Kingdom of God. A person pursuing the ideals of the Kingdom of God cannot have time to pursue the ideals of physical necessities. There is no need to mix those conditions as they are opposed to each other. A person can serve God’s interests, but without becoming Jesus’ follower, when focusing on loving fellow humans, like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
There are four methods by which a person can make money without being involved with Christianity, only one of which is recommended. The initial method can be exemplified by robbing a bank and escaping with millions, without being detected. This requires minimal effort, except for devising a strategy to access the coffers where money is kept and escaping with it. This method includes criminals having access to levers of power in government, where corruption is rampant. It is well known that some individuals, who are praised as successful businesspeople, have taken this route.
The second method of making money involves pretending to offer products or services needed by clients, collecting payment, but failing to deliver. Such activities are commonly found on the internet but also practised by those often labelled as briefcase businessmen. This contributes to an unsafe environment for many people. Some individuals are so convincing in their salesmanship that they persuade others to pay for goods or services they cannot provide. These activities create an unsafe environment for most people, as the weak cannot survive in such conditions.
The third method focuses on providing exactly what was promised—nothing more, nothing less. This sounds noble and legally sustainable. However, the rigidity of such a method can be unpopular with clients, as it often requires legal backup. If unfamiliar with the product or service being supplied, a person can be easily duped into believing what turns out to be untrue. Language is commonly a barrier to communication for most people. Therefore, it requires a person to be represented by a lawyer at all times to avoid being shortchanged, but this turns out to be unreachable to most people.
The fourth method refers to a customer-service-oriented business enterprise that not only desires to fulfil legal obligations but also aims to exceed customer expectations. Additional services may be provided, along with back-up support for customers unfamiliar with the product. Service providers would be pleasant and helpful at all times, regardless of the terms of the agreement. This type of business is commonly driven by the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. The greedy individuals find this method inapplicable, despite attracting more clients.
The first three methods can be characterized as appealing to those who are considered lovers of money, although they are categorised on a gradient scale. As observed, the fourth method describes an individual who is not necessarily a lover of money but would be principled in providing services. Such a person engages in business driven by fulfilling the needs of their clients. This applies to all sectors of life, including employee/employer relationships. If an employee, the employer assumes impossible to find anyone better than such an employee. If an employer, such an employee feels at home under such a person’s employment.
People are happier when more people apply the fourth method in the environment rather than the other three. The first three are common in a corrupt environment, often employed by those who believe survival is about accumulating profits. Even in some colleges, the principle of making money, in what is taught, takes precedence over providing acceptable services. It would be the love of money, which Paul says is the root of all evil, that leads to applying the first three methods. Surprisingly, the same people who provide appalling services are themselves uncomfortable with poor services. Treating others as they would like to be treated is anathema to them.
It is essential to reiterate that true Christians should not be involved in the listed methods of making money in this world. Many people may feel comfortable calling themselves “Christians” when applying the fourth method. It is possible that such people could be among those accepted on Judgment Day, but they should certainly not assume they would be Christians. True Christians are those devoted to serving Jesus and cannot be involved in any other activity. This should not be misconstrued as advocating for the role of “pastors” in the secular world.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV).
The passage above pertains to Christians rather than ordinary individuals. It is erroneous for anyone to identify as a “Christian” while disregarding the teachings of Jesus. The most important thing in this world is to avoid error, which can be costly. Accidents are caused by errors; due to incorrectly following instructions. One should be even more cautious when engaging in Christian activities, as the conditions of Christianity are established to follow everything that Jesus taught.
Good people are those applying the fourth method of engaging in business, as long as they do not dabble in Christianity. This may seem strange to many, as it is not commonly expressed in this manner. However, this is the time when God intends to set things straight before His return. To those gifted with discerning Scriptures, Jesus hinted at the possibility of revealing certain truths, thereby rectifying matters before His Second Coming. Understandably, some will dismiss this as far-fetched. This message is for the benefit of those to whom God is communicating. The disciples had inquired of Him regarding the arrival of Elijah before Him.
And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:10-13 NKJV).
While the disciples understood that Jesus referred to John the Baptist, there is also an aspect of the dreadful “Day of the Lord,” as mentioned in the Book of Malachi. The dreadful Day of the Lord refers to His Second Coming. This Day of the Lord is the millennial day when Christ is to sit on the throne of David to rule with the Saints. The role of Elijah is to restore all things before He assumes the throne.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6 NKJV).
The term, “Elijah,” refers to the Spirit, rather than speculating about physical personalities. God’s messages should not be attributed to physical beings; hence, the disciples could not appreciate that John the Baptist could have been an “Elijah.” The most important thing is to discern truth from error and act accordingly. Both Paul and Peter describe the Day of the Lord as coming like a thief, when most people will not be expecting it (2 Peter 3:10 & 1 Thessalonians 5:2). This agrees with Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24.
The Day of the Lord does not refer to the Judgment Day that occurs after the millennium, but rather to the millennium itself. It should be noteworthy, for the benefit of some, that the plan of salvation is figuratively aligned with the seven Millennial years. The Seventh millennial year will be the period of Jesus’ reign on the throne of David. According to Peter; “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8 NKJV).
This brings to significance the Sabbath-keeping Commandment that was given to the Israelites. The six days signify six thousand years when God is not involved in human affairs. The Day of the Lord affects those identifying themselves as “Christians” more than ordinary people. The principle of distinguishing truth from error should be regarded as the most important prerequisite.
There are two lessons to ponder for those in need of truth: a) righteous conduct involves avoiding the love of money. If engaged in business, it should be conducted according to the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. b) For those intending to align with being a Christian, all other activities should be discarded, to be guided by the Spirit to do God’s work.
It is erroneous to be both a Christian and a businessman, simultaneously. It may also be necessary to set aside rank and Christian titles that one is accustomed to. When desiring to be a Christian, one has to be open to God’s guidance in leading them where He desires. In Christianity, Jesus is the only authority to guide a person’s conduct. No one should regard another fellow human as superior or inferior to oneself.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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