And Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; (or 100 times as much) and the Lord blessed him. And the man began to prosper and continued prospering until he became very prosperous. (Genesis 26:12)
Let me begin this chapter by misquoting a Scripture, cause that is what so many people do. They'll say, “the Bible says, ‘Money is the root of all evil!” Wrong! That's not what the Scripture teaches. But what the bible does Teach is, “the love of money... (NOT MONEY! But THE LOVE OF MONEY... Is the ROOT of all evil." (I Timothy 6:10)
Would you believe it, if I told you, that the Lack of money, many times is more devastating than the Love of money?
Are you aware, that more marriages will get divorced this year for the lack of money, than for the Love of money?
Are you aware, that more churches will close their doors this year for the lack of money, than for the Love of money?
Are you aware, that more children will starve to death this year for the lack of money, than for the Love of money?
When the Lord showed me this, I immediately saw that money, in and of itself is not evil. It's just a matter of who's handling it. I also learned, that money makes a terrible God, but a good Servant... For example, if you give money to a good man, he will most likely wind up doing something good with it. On the other hand, if you give money to a drug dealer, he will most likely wind up doing something evil with it. Again, it's a matter of who is handling the money. However, in and of itself, money has no mind of it's own.
Let me tell you something else I learned firsthand about money... Money can't buy you love, like the song says… or friendship or loyalty or even happiness and sure enough, it can't never buy you your salvation. Cause I know lots of people who have plenty of money, but the truth is, they're not very happy.
On the other hand, I am a witness, that money can be a great blessing. Cause if handled correctly, it can meet lots and lots of needs and do lots and lots of good.
I’ve also discovered, that money will never be able to fuel or fully satisfy the emptiness in your heart, no matter how much money you have. Only Jesus and healthy relationships can. This is why I tell everyone I meet that I am rich, and the reason I’m rich, is not only because I have plenty of money, but mainly because of the amazing relationships I have and enjoy all around the world and because I know that I know I'm saved.
A Bit of My Story
Allow me to share a little bit of my story. Did you know, that there was a time when I was very famous? Oh yes, in case you didn't know, mine was the golden voice on the hit song “Shame, Shame, Shame” in the early seventies, which topped the billboard charts both here and abroad and sold millions of records. So as a result, during that period of my life, money, drugs, women and fame were all at my beckoning call.
And yet, with all of this, my heart had never been so empty, and I had never ever felt so alone. Would you believe it if I told you that I even felt this emptiness in the midst of very large crowds? And by large crowds I'm talking about tens of thousands of adoring fans. That's when I discovered, that loneliness, had really nothing to do with others and everything to do with myself. The truth is, that although I was famous, and doing financially well, I was a pretty miserable dude. But it wasn't until we went on our European tour, that things really spiraled out of control. Let me tell you, I remember, sitting on the floor of a penthouse in a London hotel with fellow songwriter named Scott English. Who back then had written many great hit songs, including one of my old time favorites, Under the Boardwalk... Well, His song, “Brandy” had climbed to number 2 on the charts. (It would later be recorded by Barry Manilow as “Mandy”.) While my song, “Shame, Shame, Shame” had claimed the number one spot... I can still remember sitting on the floor with him, passing a marijuana joint back and forth. When suddenly, he asked me a question that would "CHANGE MY LIFE FOR EVER“. Man, IS THIS ALL THERE IS TO LIFE?” he asked. Wow! That question made me start thinking. Cause here we were. I had the number one hit record in London and Scott had the number two, but deep down inside of both of us, we knew, there was something missing.
WE KNEW THERE WAS MORE TO LIFE. We just didn't know what it was..
In that very moment, I realized, that there was a big big hole in my heart, that nothing I had accomplished or experienced up to that point, could satisfy or fill… not money, not fame, not even women or drugs… nothing. Man, I'm telling you, immediately, the spirit of despair began to dog my heels, and I found myself plunging into a deep state of depression and entertaining relentless thoughts of suicide. My God man, those thoughts were coming at me faster than machine gun bullets. That day, I'll never forget it as long as I live. Cause that was the day, I began to think about taking my own life. I even wrote a suicide letter, which I still have.
So by the next morning, I was beginning to seriously contemplate jumping out a huge window in the pent house and just ended all. But just as I was ready to take the plunge, it suddenly hit me: “Man, that's a long, long way down, and if I jump out of this window, and with my luck, just get all crippled up and don't die, then my life will be even a bigger mess.” (Lol) So I decided to wait until I got back to America and then I would kill myself, but not in such a violent way... All I can say is, Thank God for His supernatural intervention. Cause not long after that, is when I met my Savior Jesus Christ, and in an instant, my long time search, came to an end and I was born again.
(Expert for The M&M's of Life by Pastor Jason Alvarez)