A Deadly Parallel
"For the love of money is the root of all evil...." "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...."
Thus reads 1 Tim 6:10 in the King James Version and the American Standard Version respectively. While we believe the AVS to be the better translation and to more clearly give the true meaning of this passage, we wonder if the translators of the KJV did not have a point when they said that ALL evil springs from the love of money. And while we believe the basic error in the current controversy over benevolence is a lack of respect for New Testament authority, is there not also present another evil which has its roots in the love of money? Observe closely this point in the following deadly parallel between some unscrupulous characters of New Testament times and like-minded men of today:
In the 16th chapter of Acts we have the record of ...a certain maid having a spirit of divination.... who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying " These men were making merchandise of this poor unfortunate girl. The apostle Paul, in the name of Jesus Christ, cured her. Verse 19 says, "And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said...." Now notice that the charge against them did not touch top, side nor bottom of the real reason they were brought in. The real issue was not mentioned, but was conveniently overlooked and another charge was made which appealed to prejudice and clouded the issue. A false issue was put forth. The real issue was "the hope of their gain was gone," but they said, "....These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, and set forth customs, which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans."
This had the desired effect; it stirred the people up to a mob. "And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods," and then they were cast into prison.
The same thing is happening today. Certain men are making merchandise of the poor unfortunate orphan and when anyone dares to oppose them they can see "....that the hope of their gain...." is about to be taken from them, so they begin to stir the mob spirit throughout the church. And the charges they bring touch neither top, side nor bottom of the real issues at stake.
The real issues are being conveniently ignored and an appeal to prejudice is made through the false Issues that are put forth. The cry is made, "You don't believe in helping orphans." "You have no compassion for the poor unfortunate children." "You say our method of caring for orphans is wrong but the Bible does not say HOW to do it." There is not a word of truth in any of these statements but they are often having the desired effect. Preachers are quarantined, pulpits are closed to a discussion of the subject, friends are alienated, churches are split, family ties are torn asunder and wrongs are committed that will not be made right until "....the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ." (Rom. 2:16)
What is the real issue? Part of it, to say the least, is the "love of money."
— 913 Millard St., Nacogdoches, Texas