At the peak of his wealth, John D. Rockefeller had a net worth of about $400 billion, or 2% of the United States GNP at the time. He owned 90% of all the oil and gas industry. Someone once asked Rockefeller, “How much money is enough?” He famously answered, “just a little bit more.” Solomon said the same thing almost 3,000 years ago! 

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

This passage drives home two truths about money: The Rockefeller Principle and the Heart Principle. One addresses amounts, and the other addresses our attitude. Let’s look at them one at a time. 

The Rockefeller Principle. Have you ever turned down a raise? Know of anyone who has? I am sure we could find a few stories of people who said, “No, thank you. I have all the money I care to have.” But we’d have to search hard to find them. On the other hand, there are plenty of professional athletes holding out for a fatter contract, college athletes now being paid to play, and people leaving one job for more money at another. It’s about amounts. To be sure, Scripture never says personal advancement is bad. But Scripture forces us to ask ourselves when it comes to money, are we always wanting just a little bit more? 

The Heart Principle. The Rockefeller Principle is about amounts; the Heart Principle is about attitude. It’s not about the amount of money but the love of money that gets us into trouble. The apostle Paul told Timothy that this would suck the spiritual life right out of your heart. It’s not that the love of money ends up in one destructive destination, but it is the root cause for “all kinds of evils” (1 Tim. 6:9-10).

So, the bottom line—we must come to grips with the spiritual dangers of money. Let’s end with Jesus’ words on the issue. 

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Father, I confess that money is a pull on my heart. Sometimes I want just a little more. Sometimes I think it will provide the satisfaction that I am longing for. Help me be honest with you regarding my relationship with money. Help me use the wealth you have given me to honor you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.