In furtherance of our study on Abraham’s blessings, Proverbs 10: 22 affirms: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. But many believers have failed to renew their mind with the word of God, thus have a wrong mindset and see “money as the root of all evil.”
Rather than being conscious of the word of God, they run around church circles with the words of Notorious B.I.G. “Mo Money Mo Problems” and echo his anthem, “THE MORE MONEY WE COME ACROSS, THE MORE PROBLEM WE FACE.”
Now, let’s see what God says about money. Ecclesiastes7:2 declares: For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence (protection): but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.” Also, Ecclesiastes10:19 declare… A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
However, 1Timothy 6:10, says: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Note it does not say “money is the root of all evil.” What does it say? For the love of money is the root of all evil. But, isn`t this a paradox? That evil sprouts from the love of that which provides protection and answers all things?
You see, sometimes English language does not do justice to the thought that the scripture is trying portray. Hence some have taken the last scripture literally and developed apathy towards money and hard work. They don’t want to be viewed or perceived to have a love of money.
Philarguria is the Greek word translated “love of money,” and it is sometimes translated as covetousness.
A synonym for love of money is avarice; it denotes extreme greed for wealth or material gain, insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth. You see, even the poor can be guilty of this.
Galatians 3:13 declares, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Note what it says: Christ hath redeemed us. It does not say he will or is going to redeem us; he has already redeemed us.
The word “us” here is refers to the Jews. Jesus came as a Jew, from the lineage of David, under the First Covenant to redeem all those who were under that Covenant from the curse of the Law. Curse of the law is punishment for breaking God’s law.
Galatians 3:10… For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. This infers that those who are not under the law are not under the curse. And we know that the law was given to the Israelites and not the nations (Gentiles).
Continuing, Paul explains what this curse is, saying: For it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Also in Galatians 4:4-5, Paul echoes this thought, saying, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
The word “redeemed” comes from the Greek word “Exagorazo”, which denotes the payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, to buy out or from.
Curse of the law or punishment for breaking God’s law is threefold. They are spiritual death, sickness and poverty. The above texts, gives an explicit illustration of Kidnap scenario: one held against his will.
When a captor takes someone or something captive, they usually will demand a ransom, as condition for release of the captive. Once the ransom is paid, the captive is set free. The ransom, which is given in exchange for the captive, becomes a substitute or replacement for the captive. Jesus gave himself as our ransom. Hallelujah!
Rephrased Galatians 3:13, reads, Christ hath bought us from or out of the curse of the law (spiritual death, sickness and poverty), being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
This fact is reiterated in (1Timothy 2:5-6). For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Ransom is a price paid to achieve someone’s freedom. Adam’s transgression brought man under condemnation and under the dominion of the adversary; Justice had ruled that man must pay the penalty of his transgression.
Thus, for man to be freed from the clutches of Satan, a substitute or ransom was required. Jesus gave himself as that ransom and secured freedom for humanity (Jews and Gentile).
For what purpose?
… That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians3:14).
To be continued!!!
By Emmanuel Emeke Asiwe
