Got My Mind on My Money . . .

According to a Yahoo news story reporting on a recent study published in Science Magazine:

. . . folks with money on their minds are less helpful, less considerate and less willing to ask for assistance or engage with others than those who have not been preconditioned to money.

The study, based on nine experiments conducted in different parts of the U.S., involved priming some subjects with conversation about money matters while leaving others alone. When then given seemingly "random" opportunities to be helpful, the money-thinkers were less likely to get involved. One researcher described it as "social cluelessness," adding, "The intention wasn't to be selfish or mean; they just didn't see that they had a role in this person's life."

It raises a good question: How often do we have our money on our minds? In the article, a researcher offers a common misquote of something Paul wrote: "Money may not be the root of all evil, but it might be the root of some indifference."

Of course, what he really said was, "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (1 Timothy 6:10) This study supports the biblical idea that too much focus on money turns our hearts and minds away from focusing on better things like "loving our neighbors as we love ourselves."

Of course, we've got to think some about money; we all need it. It's no sin to have a lot (or a little) of it. So how do we find the balance in keeping a healthy attitude towards money without losing our compassion for other people? A man named Agur recognized the problem in himself and asked God for help with this prayer from Proverbs 30:8-9:

Give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

For more about finding contentment apart from money, check out Paul's famous "love of money" teaching in its full context in 1 Timothy 6:6-10.