Money Answereth All Things
Mr. John Phillips is a Bible teacher and author who resides in Marietta, Ga. This is his second brief, pithy study from the neglected book of Ecclesiastes.
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 10:19
“Money answereth all things,” said Solomon. We have a similar saying. We say, “Money talks!” The Bible is not against money in itself nor is it against the lawful possession of money, even in large amounts. It is not money which is at the root of all evil, despite the fact that a great many people misquote the Apostle Paul’s words. It is the love of money which is at the root of all evil.
“Money answereth all things,” said Solomon. There seems to be a tinge of cynicism in the remark. Solomon had plenty of money — more than he could possibly spend. He had learned that there are few things money cannot buy. His money could buy him wives and warriors, houses of great beauty, horses without number. It could buy him chariots and navies, orchards, temples, golden vessels for his home and ivory thrones, apes and peacocks, spices and balm. But it could not buy him peace of heart. Nor could it buy him wisdom for his son, the loyalty of Jeroboam, nor escape from the consequences of his sin. “Money answereth all things.” But there are some things it cannot buy.
It cannot buy friendship. It can buy flattery, but not friendship. The prodigal son had plenty of parasites to help him spend his money but he had no friends. When he had flung away his last penny he found himself alone. The United States has sought to make friends and influence people with vast sums of foreign aid. It doesn’t work. True friendship cannot be bought; it is not for sale. Its price is above rubies. “Money is the answer,” says the politician. But he is wrong.
Money cannot buy forgiveness. Balak thought it could: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD?” he said. “Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings and calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He found salvation was not for sale.
Money cannot buy faith. It undermines faith. It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter heaven. Faith! Forgiveness! Friendship! Money cannot buy these. It talks, alright, but in the wrong tongue.