Psalm 119:14
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

Do we love the Word of God more than money?

It may seem like a simple question, and we each know the answer that should be given. If asked, we would likely affirm that the Bible is more valuable than money. However, as the Scripture clearly tells us time and time again, it isn't our words that back up our beliefs, but our actions. In other words, we only believe as much as we obey.

Let us ask God to carefully examine our motivations and our actions. What do we pursue? Are we more devoted to studying Scripture or earning money? Do we take more solace in our savings accounts or in the promises of God's Word? These are difficult questions. We live in a culture that values money, and often equates money with happiness.

Yet what true value does money have? Certainly it is useful for making earthly provision for families, supplying food, shelter, clothing, and the like. But, like everything else, it is temporary. Money cannot be taken with us. As Paul said, "for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." [1 Timothy 6:7] Neither, as Peter reminds us, does money purchase our redemption: "You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." [1 Peter 1:18-19]

And let us be cautious of what the Bible says about money: "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs." [1 Timothy 6:9-10]

Perhaps when it comes to money, our attitude should be like that of the writer in Proverbs 30:8-9: "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."

We often delight in money, but do we delight in the Word? Money can be useful, and even necessary, but it is not eternal. The Word of God is eternal; all creation will fade away, but God's Word will stand forever [Isaiah 40:8]. Our security doesn't come from what we can earn, but in what we could never earn, salvation from God through Jesus Christ, as revealed to us through His Word. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 6:23]