Money, money, money!

I was interested by a couple of reports in both the paper media, and the television news, today. The so-called ‘Phoenix Four’, are now reported to have paid themselves, perfectly legally, some £42million in salaries and pensions – while watching the Rover/MG company fold “on their watch” with the loss of approximately 6,000 jobs. A female consultant appointed by Phoenix to explore potential business collaborations was, we are now informed, having a personal relationship with one of the four directors. Another director purchased "Evidence Eliminator" software enabling him to wipe the hard drive of his computer of any incriminating material – just before inspectors commenced their investigation. Peter Mandelson’s (sorry, the title ‘lord’ sticks in my craw, when applied to ‘the prince of darkness’!) demand for an apology rings somewhat false when one considers that these men – however morally reprehensible their actions – were, like the same Mr Mandelson and so many of his parliamentary cronies (in both Houses) regarding their 'expenses' claims, etc., merely operating “within the rules”!

Meanwhile, certain BBC Radio and Television ‘personalities’ are reported to have accepted, or to be prepared to accept, salary cuts! The only actual figures that I heard this evening were with regard to one radio DJ who, it was claimed, has accepted a cut of 20%. Very commendable – until it is revealed that what that means, in real terms, is that his annual salary is dropping from £625,000 to a mere half-million (£500,00)!!! I reckon that that is the kind of pay-cut with which the majority of license-fee payers could easily live!

My mind turned, as might be expected, to some words from the written Word of God – the Bible. “Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, Who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” writes Paul to the young Timothy (I Tim.6:17); while Jesus, Himself, stated “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God” (Lk.18:24).

My late paternal grandmother – a mine of homespun philosophy – would simply have reminded those who seem to be able to command incomes that are beyond the wildest dreams of ‘the man in the street’ that “There are no pockets in a shroud” (the old name for the garment in which a corpse was wrapped before being placed in the coffin).

One of the many misquotes of Biblical truth also comes from Paul’s First Letter to Timothy: “… money is at the root of all kinds of evil.” This, of course, is totally untrue, and I have been privileged to meet with some who have used the great wealth with which they have been entrusted to the greater glory of God, and the extension of His Kingdom. The accurate quotation is that “… the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (I Tim.6:10).

Money is a useful tool – but the true measure of a man (or a woman!) is is not dependent upon his/her material possessions (see Lk.12:15 ff), but upon the depth of the relationship that is enjoyed with the Lord, Jesus the Christ. May our true riches be found in Him, and in Him alone.