Two weeks ago, an elderly lady was kidnapped.  She is the mother of the boss of the well known supermarket chain Sheng Siong.  The perpetrators were two Chinese Singaporeans.  They demanded $20 million as ransom but which was later lowered to $2 million after negotiation.  After the money was deposited at an agreed place, the police stepped in and arrested the kidnappers within 12 hours after the case was reported to the police.  The kidnappers never got to see the money.  They face a possibility of either death or life imprisonment.

When I read about this piece of news, I was shocked because kidnapping rarely occurred in Singapore.  I can imagine that it takes a lot of brute courage to kidnap someone.  What made them do it?  Where did they find the courage?  Some people say that perhaps they owe a big gambling debt.  I’m not sure about the exact reason but the Bible tells us the motivation behind this crime: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim 6:10).

There is nothing wrong with money or earning money.  We need money to eat and live.  With a bit more money, we can buy things that make living in this tough world better.  Thank God if you are a big earner.  But when your motivation to earn money turns to greed, that’s when serious problems set in.  But how do you know you have stepped into dangerous ground—the love of money?  Some tell-tale signs are the following.  You disobey God just to earn money.  When you have to choose between important spiritual things and money, you choose money.  You sacrifice things of critical spiritual value to earn money.  You feel unhappy when you cannot purchase something because you lack money—your peace within you is disturbed.  This was the case with these kidnappers—the desire for money was so strong that it overcame their fear of death sentence.  It blinded their eyes about the obvious danger which later materialized—they were caught and are highly likely to be sentenced either to life imprisonment or death.  It numbed their sense of danger.  Their lives are now destroyed.  In their case, they have no second chance for life.

Dear Christians, the same destruction will also come to you if you love money.  The Bible says you will pierce yourself with many griefs.  You will get into all kinds of unnecessary trouble.  You may not kidnap for money and be hanged, but trouble will surely come to you.  Your precious life will be destroyed if you do not put away greed for money.

We must be responsible in our job.  Please be wise and build a good relationship with your colleagues.  Work hard.  May the Lord prosper your job.  That being said, however, do not worry about whether or not you will have sufficient money for the future, about job security, etc.  The Lord promises you: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . . Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt 6:25-26)  What you should do is: “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”  (Matt 6:33).  Obey God.  Love Him wholeheartedly.  Serve Him faithfully.  He promises to provide for all, yes, all your needs in this life and even for all eternity.  The Lord cares for you.  Be joyful.