Together # 64
A Together of Perseverance
A Together of Perseverance
Keep One Another from the Love of Money
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Expose and deal a deathblow to the love of money when you find it in other Christians. It is a root of all kinds of evil
Matt 6:19-24; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim 5:8; 1 Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5
We are warned that the love of money is very dangerous and contributes to all kinds of evil. We are to help one another resist it.
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 5:8
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith
and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Tim 5:8
The love of money is a key strategy Satan uses to undermine our relationship with God and rob Him of glory. Therefore, we must keep one another far away from it.
. . . in order that Satan might not outwit us.
For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Cor 2:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph 6:11
For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Cor 2:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph 6:11
The love of money can destroy our trust in God, our dedication to serve God, and our contentment with God. These are but a few evils unleashed by love of money, but they are the main ones we will focus on.
So, what is this “love of money” that we are to keep one another from?
The Greek word used indicates that it is not agape love, or self-denial for another’s good. It is not the word used for loving God, family or enemies. Instead, it is related to the Greek word phileo which is often translated “love” but is more accurately “extreme fondness or liking something very much”. It can be positive, but with regard to money it is not.
Since God gives us things to enjoy, we need to ponder the difference from knowing and using the value of money righteously and loving it. Clearly, being too fond of money and liking it too much is what we want to keep one another from. Since this is an internal emotion that can be hidden from others, and even from ourselves, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us see if we have become victims of our enemy through the world’s values.
Individually, we can ask ourselves how we think and feel about money. Do we think that money is necessary to supply us with the basic necessities of life? That’s okay. Do we yearn for money to buy one expensive thing after another? That may be love of money and needs to be prayed about and discussed with our Christian Inner Circles.
Unless we have a desperate need because of poverty or illness, do we think we need to work night and day to have things that would make our lives better? Then, after getting something we have always desired (a boat, for example), do we then work night and day to purchase yet another indulgence (perhaps a motor home to go with the boat)? Inside of ourselves we can reflect and see that our yearning for more and more is probably the love of money and we each should run to our Christian Inner Circle for help to get out of the trap.
Externally, we can look for signs of possible love of money in those of our Christian Inner Circles. We can observe unnecessary pursuit of making money or excess purchasing. Then, because we have a closer relationship with these familiar Christians, we can discuss what is going on in their lives and patiently assess if they are gripped by the love of money or if something else is going on. If it is love of money, we need to help them see the danger they are in. This may take some time and needs to be done carefully without judgment, but with concern that evil is knocking at their door.
Often, it is the purpose of making money that reveals if it is loving money for money’s sake. If the purpose is to pile up net worth just for the sake of having more and more money, it is love of money. If the purpose is to make as much money as possible to live a modest lifestyle and make all of the rest of the money available for helping others, then there is no love of the money itself.
Trust
Satan would love for us to trust money for our security. Trusting money rather than God denies who God is as One who loves us, is sovereign, and provides for us. Instead having internal peace that God will take care of us as He has promised, we can look to our earnings and savings accounts. We can think that money will take care of us. When money is really tight, we can ask ourselves if we find peace in the fact that God will take care of us by providing what we need through income and the love of others, or if money in the bank would provide the greater peace.
Money is often the way God takes care of us. But our trust must not be in the money, but in God who is the source of the money. To enjoy money as a gift from God and thus an extension of Himself is okay. Thus, we must keep one another from trusting in our financial assets rather than in God Himself. God wants to be the focus of our trust. Our trust must be in the Giver, not the gift. And, of course, we should labor as the vehicle for God to provide those funds we need.
Money is extremely important as a way to pay for the necessities of life. It is natural to be concerned that there is enough money to survive. In our closest relationships, we see our friends and family members reacting to a shortage of income with either faith or some form of trust in money. It is our job to help them face their situation with trust that God will provide. We can help them look forward to God supplying the money, just not trust in the money itself.
Dedication and Service
Money can become an idol and receive dedication that should only be given to God. We have most likely known people who are obsessed with making money. It is what they talk about most. It is what they spend too much time working to gain more and more of. Their love of money comes from valuing it too much. It becomes the primary reason for living, although few recognize that it has taken over their lives so much.
So, what is this “love of money” that we are to keep one another from?
The Greek word used indicates that it is not agape love, or self-denial for another’s good. It is not the word used for loving God, family or enemies. Instead, it is related to the Greek word phileo which is often translated “love” but is more accurately “extreme fondness or liking something very much”. It can be positive, but with regard to money it is not.
Since God gives us things to enjoy, we need to ponder the difference from knowing and using the value of money righteously and loving it. Clearly, being too fond of money and liking it too much is what we want to keep one another from. Since this is an internal emotion that can be hidden from others, and even from ourselves, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us see if we have become victims of our enemy through the world’s values.
Individually, we can ask ourselves how we think and feel about money. Do we think that money is necessary to supply us with the basic necessities of life? That’s okay. Do we yearn for money to buy one expensive thing after another? That may be love of money and needs to be prayed about and discussed with our Christian Inner Circles.
Unless we have a desperate need because of poverty or illness, do we think we need to work night and day to have things that would make our lives better? Then, after getting something we have always desired (a boat, for example), do we then work night and day to purchase yet another indulgence (perhaps a motor home to go with the boat)? Inside of ourselves we can reflect and see that our yearning for more and more is probably the love of money and we each should run to our Christian Inner Circle for help to get out of the trap.
Externally, we can look for signs of possible love of money in those of our Christian Inner Circles. We can observe unnecessary pursuit of making money or excess purchasing. Then, because we have a closer relationship with these familiar Christians, we can discuss what is going on in their lives and patiently assess if they are gripped by the love of money or if something else is going on. If it is love of money, we need to help them see the danger they are in. This may take some time and needs to be done carefully without judgment, but with concern that evil is knocking at their door.
Often, it is the purpose of making money that reveals if it is loving money for money’s sake. If the purpose is to pile up net worth just for the sake of having more and more money, it is love of money. If the purpose is to make as much money as possible to live a modest lifestyle and make all of the rest of the money available for helping others, then there is no love of the money itself.
Trust
Satan would love for us to trust money for our security. Trusting money rather than God denies who God is as One who loves us, is sovereign, and provides for us. Instead having internal peace that God will take care of us as He has promised, we can look to our earnings and savings accounts. We can think that money will take care of us. When money is really tight, we can ask ourselves if we find peace in the fact that God will take care of us by providing what we need through income and the love of others, or if money in the bank would provide the greater peace.
Money is often the way God takes care of us. But our trust must not be in the money, but in God who is the source of the money. To enjoy money as a gift from God and thus an extension of Himself is okay. Thus, we must keep one another from trusting in our financial assets rather than in God Himself. God wants to be the focus of our trust. Our trust must be in the Giver, not the gift. And, of course, we should labor as the vehicle for God to provide those funds we need.
Money is extremely important as a way to pay for the necessities of life. It is natural to be concerned that there is enough money to survive. In our closest relationships, we see our friends and family members reacting to a shortage of income with either faith or some form of trust in money. It is our job to help them face their situation with trust that God will provide. We can help them look forward to God supplying the money, just not trust in the money itself.
Dedication and Service
Money can become an idol and receive dedication that should only be given to God. We have most likely known people who are obsessed with making money. It is what they talk about most. It is what they spend too much time working to gain more and more of. Their love of money comes from valuing it too much. It becomes the primary reason for living, although few recognize that it has taken over their lives so much.
“No one can serve two masters.
Either you will hate the one and love the other,
or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.
Mt 6:24
Either you will hate the one and love the other,
or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.
Mt 6:24
Here in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us to not serve money. Whenever constant pursuit of excess money prevents God from being the primary focus of our lives, we must turn one another around. Unfortunately, in our society it is so normal to love and trust money that we Christians must constantly be active in one another’s lives to keep away from such devotion. Since most all of us like to have money in our pockets and in the bank, it is easy for that fondness to cross the line into displacing trust and dedication to God. But, since positive feelings for money is so constant and normal in our society, we tend to not recognize the actual love of money. Therefore, we too seldom think of keeping one another from the love of money.
Actually, the love of money creates a lot of evil that we can remember so that we do not take this Together lightly. A great many divorces are caused by financial issues. The police always consider economic gain first as a motive for murder. A lot of stress follows extravagant purchases. And the list could go on.
We can be more dedicated to gaining wealth than to serving God. Often Christians try to justify neglecting spiritual aspects of their lives by saying that all the money they have belongs to the Lord. But, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that we are to first seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and after that God will supply our need.
Actually, the love of money creates a lot of evil that we can remember so that we do not take this Together lightly. A great many divorces are caused by financial issues. The police always consider economic gain first as a motive for murder. A lot of stress follows extravagant purchases. And the list could go on.
We can be more dedicated to gaining wealth than to serving God. Often Christians try to justify neglecting spiritual aspects of their lives by saying that all the money they have belongs to the Lord. But, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that we are to first seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and after that God will supply our need.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mt 6:31-33
or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mt 6:31-33
God first. Simple to understand and difficult to follow. That is why we need to keep one another from serving money.
Contentment
Love of money can take away contentment with the life that God has given us and the place in He has appointed for us to serve. It is natural to want more than the basics, but if we are not content while wanting a little extra, then it is probably love of money. And it indicates that we are not happy with God.
Sometimes we are unhappy because we think we do not have enough money, but there are adequate funds to take care of our basic needs. Then if we envy a person who has extra money, that is loving money. But, if a person is happy and only wishes for extra money for reasonable things instead of extravagance, that is probably not love of money. If there is not enough money for a comfortable life, hoping for more money seems reasonable. If there is more than enough money for a comfortable life and a person is unhappy because he or she does not have more money, that is definitely love of money to some degree. So, contentment with our present financial situation is a key to staying away from the love of money.
Contentment
Love of money can take away contentment with the life that God has given us and the place in He has appointed for us to serve. It is natural to want more than the basics, but if we are not content while wanting a little extra, then it is probably love of money. And it indicates that we are not happy with God.
Sometimes we are unhappy because we think we do not have enough money, but there are adequate funds to take care of our basic needs. Then if we envy a person who has extra money, that is loving money. But, if a person is happy and only wishes for extra money for reasonable things instead of extravagance, that is probably not love of money. If there is not enough money for a comfortable life, hoping for more money seems reasonable. If there is more than enough money for a comfortable life and a person is unhappy because he or she does not have more money, that is definitely love of money to some degree. So, contentment with our present financial situation is a key to staying away from the love of money.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Tim 6:6
1 Tim 6:6
Keeping one another from the love of money is important to be able to have our contentment centered on godliness, which means being like Jesus. (Christlikeness and godliness are the same thing.)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:12-13
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:12-13
Even if our financial situation is tight because of something we did wrong, we can be content. God will deliver in some way. The goal should be growing in faith as a result of our bad decision, not regaining a comfortable lifestyle. God is the Master Recycler and will bring good out of our bad decision if we look to him.
And we know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Handled God’s way, good will come to the Christian Inner Circle as well as the one in trouble financially. The promise of Romans 8:28 is in the plural. Contentment will be just around the corner.
The love of money is an affront to God. Let’s help our friends, family members and spouse trust only God for their security, be dedicated to Him wholeheartedly, and be content where God has placed them.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
The love of money is an affront to God. Let’s help our friends, family members and spouse trust only God for their security, be dedicated to Him wholeheartedly, and be content where God has placed them.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
The Garrett Family’s house burned down and they lost everything. Mom and dad and their five children learned of it while out of town. The sense of loss was initially overwhelming and they cried out to God, “What are we going to do?”
God answered them when three family members voiced almost spontaneously that God promised in the Bible to take care of his people. Within the short period of only two weeks, the Garrett family was over their discouragement because they recognized a chance to become more like Jesus who did not own much of anything. Their Christian Inner Circle, those Christians they were close to in faith, arose to help the Garrett Family, providing shelter, food, and clothing. They were also helped to value money and things less – something their situation required. God’s many promises to provide and restore from the Bible were shared. Their trust in God rather than money grew. More and more they could be like Jesus as recorded in John 4:34 and say, “Our food is to do the will of God.” They surprised themselves when they found joy and contentment in simple provisions like buying a used frying pan at a thrift store and being happy with it. Little by little their trust in money diminished and their appreciation of money as a gift from God grew. They were being stripped of some of their love of money and their lives were opening up in ways they never imagined. |
Jesus sure wasn’t in love with money. We don’t even know if He had any, it was so unimportant. In fact, if money was important, God would have had His Son born in a palace.
So much of living for God has to do with internal attitude. To a great extent, each of us individually has to search our thoughts and feelings to see if we put too much value in money and the things it can provide.
Let’s say that we have enough money to hire someone to clean our house once a week. Do we feel it is a sign of success? That might be being too fond of money. On the other hand, if we are doing so to share our wealth with someone who needs the money and/or freeing ourselves for needed rest or service to God and family, there is no special value placed on our financial position.
It can be such a fine line that close friends and family members are those best positioned in our lives to help us evaluate whether or not we like money too much. Conversely, often our friends, wife, husband, children or parents, those in our Christian Inner Circle, consider that they “must have” something that to us is a little more obviously not so necessary.
It can be difficult to help one another keep from being too fond of money and the things it can buy. There are all kinds of excuses we give ourselves to purchase the latest technological invention, go on a cruise, or save up money for a life of ease. Attack a person’s desires and there is usually resistance.
Therefore, helping one another avoid the love of money requires solid self-denying Christian love to confront without judgment and with patience. And in this case probably more than others, “do as I do” is necessary. “Do as I say and not as I do” does not present a clear message. It is definitely easier to say, “Do you really think it necessary to buy a new car this soon?” if you have already reported that you would really like to buy the top-of-the-line fly fishing pole for $250 but decided that a $65 pole will give a reasonable amount of pleasure.
One evil of the love of money is giving ourselves things to make us feel more valuable. A $250 fly fishing pole could make us feel on top of the fly-fishing hierarchy. We could be standing in two feet of water and think, “life is really worth living!” Most likely a wealthier person would be spending a very small percentage of monthly income to buy a $250 pole and it would probably not elevate a feeling of self-worth. And a man of moderate means might save up money over time and really enjoy fishing with a $250 pole but not place it in competition with God for making life worth living. But it would probably be loving money if the fisherman used the expensive pole to think of himself as more valuable. God is a jealous God and wants to be the reason we feel valuable. And He doesn’t like to share that with a fishing pole!
It is hard to illustrate this point adequately. If a woman felt more valuable because she had $50,000 in jewelry rather than if she only had $500, that would be evil. Her value is from God’s creation of and love for her. Feeling valuable because of any possession or experience that money buys is too much fondness and love for money. But, if a woman with $50,000 in jewelry considered it valuable for God’s use now or in the future, and it did not make her feel more valuable, then it would not be love of money.
I suppose one test for love of anything is if we can let go of it out of love for God without much hesitation. It would be understandable if the fisherman was a bit sad to lose his $250 fly rod or the woman her $50,000 worth of jewelry. If they did not feel they were less valuable as persons, there would be no love of money. If they knew their financial worth took a hit, that would be responsible thinking. If they regretted giving the rod or jewelry to God, that would indicate that the rod and jewelry were liked a bit too much and love of money is knocking at their doors.
If we budget and can live without much concern about money, then we are being like Jesus. To have less and less concern about purchasing or having luxuries is probably a great way to become more and more like Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
So much of living for God has to do with internal attitude. To a great extent, each of us individually has to search our thoughts and feelings to see if we put too much value in money and the things it can provide.
Let’s say that we have enough money to hire someone to clean our house once a week. Do we feel it is a sign of success? That might be being too fond of money. On the other hand, if we are doing so to share our wealth with someone who needs the money and/or freeing ourselves for needed rest or service to God and family, there is no special value placed on our financial position.
It can be such a fine line that close friends and family members are those best positioned in our lives to help us evaluate whether or not we like money too much. Conversely, often our friends, wife, husband, children or parents, those in our Christian Inner Circle, consider that they “must have” something that to us is a little more obviously not so necessary.
It can be difficult to help one another keep from being too fond of money and the things it can buy. There are all kinds of excuses we give ourselves to purchase the latest technological invention, go on a cruise, or save up money for a life of ease. Attack a person’s desires and there is usually resistance.
Therefore, helping one another avoid the love of money requires solid self-denying Christian love to confront without judgment and with patience. And in this case probably more than others, “do as I do” is necessary. “Do as I say and not as I do” does not present a clear message. It is definitely easier to say, “Do you really think it necessary to buy a new car this soon?” if you have already reported that you would really like to buy the top-of-the-line fly fishing pole for $250 but decided that a $65 pole will give a reasonable amount of pleasure.
One evil of the love of money is giving ourselves things to make us feel more valuable. A $250 fly fishing pole could make us feel on top of the fly-fishing hierarchy. We could be standing in two feet of water and think, “life is really worth living!” Most likely a wealthier person would be spending a very small percentage of monthly income to buy a $250 pole and it would probably not elevate a feeling of self-worth. And a man of moderate means might save up money over time and really enjoy fishing with a $250 pole but not place it in competition with God for making life worth living. But it would probably be loving money if the fisherman used the expensive pole to think of himself as more valuable. God is a jealous God and wants to be the reason we feel valuable. And He doesn’t like to share that with a fishing pole!
It is hard to illustrate this point adequately. If a woman felt more valuable because she had $50,000 in jewelry rather than if she only had $500, that would be evil. Her value is from God’s creation of and love for her. Feeling valuable because of any possession or experience that money buys is too much fondness and love for money. But, if a woman with $50,000 in jewelry considered it valuable for God’s use now or in the future, and it did not make her feel more valuable, then it would not be love of money.
I suppose one test for love of anything is if we can let go of it out of love for God without much hesitation. It would be understandable if the fisherman was a bit sad to lose his $250 fly rod or the woman her $50,000 worth of jewelry. If they did not feel they were less valuable as persons, there would be no love of money. If they knew their financial worth took a hit, that would be responsible thinking. If they regretted giving the rod or jewelry to God, that would indicate that the rod and jewelry were liked a bit too much and love of money is knocking at their doors.
If we budget and can live without much concern about money, then we are being like Jesus. To have less and less concern about purchasing or having luxuries is probably a great way to become more and more like Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Rima and Yusuf are Syrians who met in an European refugee camp. They became Christians through the relief efforts of a Christian aid mission. And they married. Eventually, they were allowed to emigrate to America.
Having had next to nothing in Syria and then nothing at all in the refugee camp, Yusuf and Rima are thrilled with their meager apartment and low-income jobs. They are quite happy getting what they need from thrift shops. In their neighborhood there are many people like them, happy to be alive even though their neighborhood is surrounded by others with wealth and nice homes and things. What they are most concerned about is the discontent of those they work with who have more than enough to be extremely happy and are constantly trying to earn more money to buy more things. They wonder if those people know that cherishing things is so greatly dishonoring God. They expect people without faith to live that way, but are very saddened to see those who claim to be Christians finding their happiness in the things money can buy and barely mentioning God at all. To Rima and Yusuf, loving God more than money or things has helped them have a rich life and is rich worship. |
God owns everything. He does not love money, but He does love his creation and his people. If we do not love money (excessively like it), we reflect back to God his own character and so worship Him.
If, on the other hand, if we think so highly of money that it leads to trusting money when God wants us to trust Him for our needs, then we devalue God. That is the opposite of worship.
If we value a wealthy person more than we value a poor person, we are loving money and dishonoring God. If we seek out a wealthy person in a crowd because that person has money, we are loving God. We should call out our friends or spouse or children if we see any of them doing these things. We need to help them see that they are not honoring God who determines who has wealth and who does not. If, on the other hand, we seek people out because of their wisdom or for some specific purpose other than concerns of status, and they just happen to be wealthy, seeking them out is acceptable.
Keeping one another from valuing people for their financial status is most possible in those closer relationships within our Christian Inner Circles. Sermons and Bible study lessons can help, but the careful eyes of those with whom we trust and are more transparent are most needed.
In our culture, it seems rude to question another person’s financial decisions or attitudes. But, in the kingdom of God it is necessary to help God’s people honor the King. It is probably best to communicate that we do not mean to be rude, but want to be helpful to a friend or relative’s walk with God, both now and in the future in heaven. Then we can help if we perceive some love of money or over-valuing of possessions.
We want to help one another be content with what we have, not envy what others have, and not pile up possessions.
If, on the other hand, if we think so highly of money that it leads to trusting money when God wants us to trust Him for our needs, then we devalue God. That is the opposite of worship.
If we value a wealthy person more than we value a poor person, we are loving money and dishonoring God. If we seek out a wealthy person in a crowd because that person has money, we are loving God. We should call out our friends or spouse or children if we see any of them doing these things. We need to help them see that they are not honoring God who determines who has wealth and who does not. If, on the other hand, we seek people out because of their wisdom or for some specific purpose other than concerns of status, and they just happen to be wealthy, seeking them out is acceptable.
Keeping one another from valuing people for their financial status is most possible in those closer relationships within our Christian Inner Circles. Sermons and Bible study lessons can help, but the careful eyes of those with whom we trust and are more transparent are most needed.
In our culture, it seems rude to question another person’s financial decisions or attitudes. But, in the kingdom of God it is necessary to help God’s people honor the King. It is probably best to communicate that we do not mean to be rude, but want to be helpful to a friend or relative’s walk with God, both now and in the future in heaven. Then we can help if we perceive some love of money or over-valuing of possessions.
We want to help one another be content with what we have, not envy what others have, and not pile up possessions.
Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
We don’t want anyone in our Christian Inner Circles to offend God by acting like God won’t be there for them.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Mason and Wyatt met on a church bowling team and became close friends. After competition they go out for a burger and fries. They have gotten to know one another pretty well. More important, they have begun to trust each other with regard to their faith. They often express their concerns for their church and pray for church leadership.
However, Wyatt has noticed over the months that Mason has been in love with money and the things it can buy. Mason has always talked about how much money he makes, how he really wants a promotion, not to better serve God or people, but for the pure sake of making more money. He has purchased a $10,000 boat and now he is talking about buying a vacation condo to use a few weeks a year with the hopes of renting it out and making even more money. Wyatt has also noticed that there is no talk of wanting to give any of his money to the work of the Lord except a small amount to their church. Wyatt was at first judgmental. But, the Holy Spirit and some others in his Christian Inner Circle helped him to see that Mason is merely a victim of Satan. Wyatt is now planning a strategy to help Mason recognize and fight the love money so that his relationship with God can have substance rather than be a lot of talk. Wyatt is checking with a few in his Christian Inner Circle who also know Wyatt so that his planned actions are the way to go about helping free Mason from his love of money. |
Satan uses love of money to draw us away from God. The devil knows that it can be used to destroy faith in God in one way or another. Therefore, we are to keep one another from the love of money because it leads to many forms of evil, all of which assault the goodness of God and His character.
Most, if not all, sins can be caused by love of money. While sins may also be caused by other things, love of money is a main source and it must go. Let’s look at a few evils fed by the love of money.
Pride can be brought on by the accumulation of wealth. But, it does not need to. That is where Christian Inner Circles come in. It is up to close, biblically responsible Christian friends, spouses, and family members to warn against pride when the Lord gives a Christian abundance. We can help one another remember to not take primary credit for financial success by reminding one another that money is a gift from God to be used only for His glory.
Covetousness can arise from too strong a liking for money. We can resent the good fortune of others rather than being happy for them when they can purchase something we would enjoy but cannot afford. We can help one another adopt gratitude for the good fortunes of others by reminding one another that God knows something that we do not about what specific thing would not be good for us. It might be good for someone else, or it might be allowed by God but not be a wonderful thing at all. We can reassure one another of God’s greater wisdom and help each other be content with what God wants for us.
Especially if we help one another remember that this short life of about 80 years or less is not our final allotment of years, we can be content with whatever financial situation God has chosen for us.
Most, if not all, sins can be caused by love of money. While sins may also be caused by other things, love of money is a main source and it must go. Let’s look at a few evils fed by the love of money.
Pride can be brought on by the accumulation of wealth. But, it does not need to. That is where Christian Inner Circles come in. It is up to close, biblically responsible Christian friends, spouses, and family members to warn against pride when the Lord gives a Christian abundance. We can help one another remember to not take primary credit for financial success by reminding one another that money is a gift from God to be used only for His glory.
Covetousness can arise from too strong a liking for money. We can resent the good fortune of others rather than being happy for them when they can purchase something we would enjoy but cannot afford. We can help one another adopt gratitude for the good fortunes of others by reminding one another that God knows something that we do not about what specific thing would not be good for us. It might be good for someone else, or it might be allowed by God but not be a wonderful thing at all. We can reassure one another of God’s greater wisdom and help each other be content with what God wants for us.
Especially if we help one another remember that this short life of about 80 years or less is not our final allotment of years, we can be content with whatever financial situation God has chosen for us.
Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation
the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. . . .
Each person should remain in the situation they were in
when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called?
Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
For the one who was a slave
when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;
similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God,
should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
1 Cor 7:17, 20-24
the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. . . .
Each person should remain in the situation they were in
when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called?
Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
For the one who was a slave
when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;
similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God,
should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
1 Cor 7:17, 20-24
For example, if we see a Christian deceived by the love of money and captured by a lifestyle of purchasing one expensive thing after another, we need to be concerned for them. Let’s never forget the warning that love of money can bring on many forms of evil, even walking away from the wonderful life of faith.
If the person is not in our Christian Inner Circle of friends, family members or spouse, we can pray for them and then encourage one of their close Christian contacts to help them. But, if it is one of our Christian friends, a family member or our husband or wife, we are called to put on the armor of God and go to work and defeat this sinister scheme of Satan.
If the person is not in our Christian Inner Circle of friends, family members or spouse, we can pray for them and then encourage one of their close Christian contacts to help them. But, if it is one of our Christian friends, a family member or our husband or wife, we are called to put on the armor of God and go to work and defeat this sinister scheme of Satan.
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 5:8
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith
and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Tim 5:8
Not only do we want the joy of defeating Satan, hard as this will be in this respect of keeping one another from the love of money, but we do not want anyone in our Christian Inner Circles to suffer agony.
Most often it will be difficult to show a person their love of money if they do not already know it and can readily confess it for spiritual healing. We should expect some resistence. After all, we are asking people to step away from their dreams of having something they really desire, something they think they must strive for through dedication to acquire money. They will have to confess their love of money, give up the urgency of their desire, and repent to let God decide if they should have what they want to purchase.
Fortunately, keeping one another from the love of money is more easily done with those Christians with whom we have a close, trusting relationship. We have no desire to judge them, hurt them, or be insensitive to how difficult this will be. If we have related to them in a biblical way, they will know that we love them and want only the best for them, the “best” being defined within the reality of God and eternal life.
So, rescuing someone from the love of money needs to be approached with great patience and humility. First, we need to remove money-love from ourselves (Mt 7:3-5). Then, we need to tell our close friend, family member, or spouse that we have repented of the love of money, no matter how slight or great that love was. We do this to show them that it is safe to face our own sin and wonderful to improve our spiritual life and relationship with God.
If we suspect that there will be strong resistance to admitting love of money, then perhaps we can ask their help to overcome some aspect of the love of money still present in our own lives. Then they can see what we want to warn them of by expressing our own fear of the love of money.
Eventually, we want to show a person in our Christian Inner Circle that letting go of love of money will increase their trust in God, help them willingly to have more time and money to serve Him, and be content with life as it is.
This is win-win-win spiritual battle. God wins when we defeat Satan’s effort to draw us away from Him. We each win by being freed up from a sin that spawns many other evils and sins. And our Christian Inner Circle wins as the spread of money-love contamination is thwarted.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Most often it will be difficult to show a person their love of money if they do not already know it and can readily confess it for spiritual healing. We should expect some resistence. After all, we are asking people to step away from their dreams of having something they really desire, something they think they must strive for through dedication to acquire money. They will have to confess their love of money, give up the urgency of their desire, and repent to let God decide if they should have what they want to purchase.
Fortunately, keeping one another from the love of money is more easily done with those Christians with whom we have a close, trusting relationship. We have no desire to judge them, hurt them, or be insensitive to how difficult this will be. If we have related to them in a biblical way, they will know that we love them and want only the best for them, the “best” being defined within the reality of God and eternal life.
So, rescuing someone from the love of money needs to be approached with great patience and humility. First, we need to remove money-love from ourselves (Mt 7:3-5). Then, we need to tell our close friend, family member, or spouse that we have repented of the love of money, no matter how slight or great that love was. We do this to show them that it is safe to face our own sin and wonderful to improve our spiritual life and relationship with God.
If we suspect that there will be strong resistance to admitting love of money, then perhaps we can ask their help to overcome some aspect of the love of money still present in our own lives. Then they can see what we want to warn them of by expressing our own fear of the love of money.
Eventually, we want to show a person in our Christian Inner Circle that letting go of love of money will increase their trust in God, help them willingly to have more time and money to serve Him, and be content with life as it is.
This is win-win-win spiritual battle. God wins when we defeat Satan’s effort to draw us away from Him. We each win by being freed up from a sin that spawns many other evils and sins. And our Christian Inner Circle wins as the spread of money-love contamination is thwarted.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Wayne and Elisa found themselves very short of cash when their basement flooded and expensive repair was required. Without the usual money to fund their weekly date nights, they have been doing cheap or free things. One thing they have done is take walks to a park about two miles away. They have made some wonderful discoveries along their walk as well as in the park.
Freed of the concentration on how to get ahead by the need just to pay for the $15,000 repair of their basement, they have gotten away from the over appreciation of money that might be the love of money the Bible warns about. When they accepted their position without worry or resentment, it dawned on them that this was a great way to prepare for heaven. Once they put their minds to prepare for the real life, that which follows death and lasts forever, they came to realize that depending more on God and less on money has made them more like Jesus and more worshipful of God. Once they paid off the basement repairs, they decided to give the amount they were paying on that debt each month to Christian missions. They knew they had to do this to keep from being drug back into keeping up with the worldly culture that measures success by one additional expensive purchase after another. |
We want to be as prepared as possible to already know the joy of trusting God, serving Him and being content when we first arrive in heaven.
Not loving money now opens up the possibility to trust in God for security and other things. That trust developed with the competition of money will create in us a more conscious trust in all that God will provide for us in heaven. In heaven it will be natural to trust in God for everything. There will be no sin to distract us, and where else will good things come to us in heaven other than from the hand of God? But, not everyone will have learned to perceive and have a strong sense of trusting God that rises above the normal awareness that God is providing. But, we will have that special sense if we conquer the love of money now with the seduction of excess money beckoning us to trust in our financial situation.
Not loving money now also allows us to get in the habit of dedicated service to God. In heaven we will all serve God, but in different capacities as rewards for how we have loved and served God in the environment of sin. If we see that love of money is a huge threat to our rewards in heaven, then we will do all we can to eliminate it from our lives. That means that we will bring in one another to keep ourselves from the love of money. Especially in our Christian Inner Circles will we roll up our sleeves and pull one another out of one way of loving money after another.
Not loving money now additionally ushers in the possibility of being more content with God and the life He has appointed for us. In heaven this will translate into a heightened sense of contentment. Of course, everyone will be content in heaven. How could they not be? But, just as we all appreciate a fantastic sunset, there are different levels of appreciation and gratitude. It will be that way in heaven – some of us will have greater awareness of our contentment and, therefore, more gratitude.
Here is another wonderful outcome for heaven of leaving behind the love of money now.
Most of us can remember some time when we did not have the money to do something more expensive and as a result discovered some simple treasure. Perhaps it was not having enough money to go to an attraction and taking a walk instead where we find exquisite beauty in a neighbor’s flowers. And, can we remember when as little children we were often amazed at things that did not cost? A butterfly seemed so special at a moment when we were not so enthralled with some costly toy.
In a similar way, letting go of loving money and the things it can buy can open our eyes to very wonderful things from God. Becoming entranced with each wonderful thing from the mind of God is something to do now. As muscles grow against resistance, so eyes capable of withholding wonder develop against the resistance of love of money and other distractions. Without our minds on money and buying things, we are free to discover and focus our appreciation on a dandelion surrounded by green grass, the smile of a loved one, or the almost unbelievable universe.
Developing this greater ability to see past love of money to hidden wonderment will be great preparation for heaven where there will be endless surprising things as gifts from God.
Let’s help one another prepare for heaven by keeping one another from the love of money.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
Not loving money now opens up the possibility to trust in God for security and other things. That trust developed with the competition of money will create in us a more conscious trust in all that God will provide for us in heaven. In heaven it will be natural to trust in God for everything. There will be no sin to distract us, and where else will good things come to us in heaven other than from the hand of God? But, not everyone will have learned to perceive and have a strong sense of trusting God that rises above the normal awareness that God is providing. But, we will have that special sense if we conquer the love of money now with the seduction of excess money beckoning us to trust in our financial situation.
Not loving money now also allows us to get in the habit of dedicated service to God. In heaven we will all serve God, but in different capacities as rewards for how we have loved and served God in the environment of sin. If we see that love of money is a huge threat to our rewards in heaven, then we will do all we can to eliminate it from our lives. That means that we will bring in one another to keep ourselves from the love of money. Especially in our Christian Inner Circles will we roll up our sleeves and pull one another out of one way of loving money after another.
Not loving money now additionally ushers in the possibility of being more content with God and the life He has appointed for us. In heaven this will translate into a heightened sense of contentment. Of course, everyone will be content in heaven. How could they not be? But, just as we all appreciate a fantastic sunset, there are different levels of appreciation and gratitude. It will be that way in heaven – some of us will have greater awareness of our contentment and, therefore, more gratitude.
Here is another wonderful outcome for heaven of leaving behind the love of money now.
Most of us can remember some time when we did not have the money to do something more expensive and as a result discovered some simple treasure. Perhaps it was not having enough money to go to an attraction and taking a walk instead where we find exquisite beauty in a neighbor’s flowers. And, can we remember when as little children we were often amazed at things that did not cost? A butterfly seemed so special at a moment when we were not so enthralled with some costly toy.
In a similar way, letting go of loving money and the things it can buy can open our eyes to very wonderful things from God. Becoming entranced with each wonderful thing from the mind of God is something to do now. As muscles grow against resistance, so eyes capable of withholding wonder develop against the resistance of love of money and other distractions. Without our minds on money and buying things, we are free to discover and focus our appreciation on a dandelion surrounded by green grass, the smile of a loved one, or the almost unbelievable universe.
Developing this greater ability to see past love of money to hidden wonderment will be great preparation for heaven where there will be endless surprising things as gifts from God.
Let’s help one another prepare for heaven by keeping one another from the love of money.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
Holly and Lisa died today in a shooting rampage by a mentally ill man who stormed their church. Fortunately, or so it would seem, they were the only ones who died. The other ten victims in the hospital are going to live.
Holly and Lisa barely knew one another, even though they both attended church regularly. Holly is a married mother of three and Lisa is a middle aged career woman, CEO of some kind of financial institution. Since their church has 200 people, there is not enough opportunity to get to know everyone very well. Still, Holly knew Lisa as one who might be walking the line between the kingdom of God and the secular materialistic culture. Lisa seemed to regularly come to church in more and more expensive clothes. And, instead of talking about the Lord during coffee time, she was always talking about some legitimate financial opportunity. Now both women are being guided through the gates of heaven at the same time, as might be expected by their same time of death. Holly watches Lisa express surprise that heaven is truly real. She seems to only have half believed the Bible’s certainty that it wasn’t just a figure of speech. She fully trusted in Jesus and his death and resurrection, but not His teaching about heaven. Holly can hear the angel welcoming Lisa with excitement and then telling her that because she was victimized by the devil and fell in love with money, she will be going to the class titled “Basic Truths about God’s Provision in Heaven”. At the same time, Holly’s angel guide is complimenting her for her great trust in God’s character and provision, her dedicated service to God back on earth battling evil, and her contented enjoyment of God where He assigned her as a middle class mother who cared deeply for her children. Then the angel mentions that tomorrow she will start Graduate School in the College of Advanced Appreciation of Heaven. |
If we won the battle over love of money with the help of our Christian Inner Circles before we arrive in heaven, we will experience trust in God, joy in serving Him and contentment with pure joy. Unfortunately, not everyone will be so keenly aware of these tremendous blessings.
It is like taking for granted clean, pure air to breathe rather than actually noticing it. Those who discovered God’s trustworthiness in providing for them in spite of the competition to focus on the money that purchased those things will more keenly notice God’s taking great care of them in heaven instead of just taking it for granted. Those who just experience it for the first time will love God’s provision but not be so attuned to it. The experience of God taking care of them in heaven will not be as acute as those who were well aware of it when times were tough in a world of trials.
Imagine in heaven having a keen sense of trust in God, not just trusting Him, but of being really conscious of it. Imagine having a sincere joy in every moment of serving God in heaven. Imagine a contentment in heaven that is 3-dimensional rather than just 2. That’s how it is going to be for those of us who conquer the love of money and are subsequently more able to constantly see God’s provision, serve God more wholeheartedly, and experience more consistent peaceful contentment.
Let’s keep one another from the love of money and have a life in heaven of greater dimension.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
It is like taking for granted clean, pure air to breathe rather than actually noticing it. Those who discovered God’s trustworthiness in providing for them in spite of the competition to focus on the money that purchased those things will more keenly notice God’s taking great care of them in heaven instead of just taking it for granted. Those who just experience it for the first time will love God’s provision but not be so attuned to it. The experience of God taking care of them in heaven will not be as acute as those who were well aware of it when times were tough in a world of trials.
Imagine in heaven having a keen sense of trust in God, not just trusting Him, but of being really conscious of it. Imagine having a sincere joy in every moment of serving God in heaven. Imagine a contentment in heaven that is 3-dimensional rather than just 2. That’s how it is going to be for those of us who conquer the love of money and are subsequently more able to constantly see God’s provision, serve God more wholeheartedly, and experience more consistent peaceful contentment.
Let’s keep one another from the love of money and have a life in heaven of greater dimension.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
After 83 years, Ethel has graduated from Earth and entered heaven. Although she inherited millions of dollars at age 55, she was content with what she had and used that wealth in ways she heard in prayer Jesus tell her. She paid off the houses of all her children, eventually all of her grandchildren, and all of her nieces and nephews. That barely scratched the surface of all of her wealth, so she put the rest in investments that could be drawn on yearly for automatic contributions of thousands of dollars to ten carefully picked Christian ministries and mission organizations.
I wish you could have felt the warm closeness with Jesus today when He stopped by to have tea with Ethel. I wish we could all have had so little love for money as to have been less inhibited in our relationship with the Lord before death removed that opportunity to show trust in God, service to God, and contentment in God’s decisions regarding our situations. |
The love of money or its absence can truly affect our relationship with God in its personal, intimate, and affectionate aspects.
Consider this parallel, considering that God is our father. A man has two twin children, both of the same gender. When he arrives home from work, one of the twins rushes up to him full of excitement to see him, hug him, and tell about the day. The other twin approaches half-heartedly, holding a dollar bill, and the first thing said is a request to be taken to the store to buy some candy. The dad will likely take both twins to the store, but in the long run, which twin will have the closer relationship with the father?
Those who rid themselves of love of and for money will have a larger heart for God now and enter heaven with a much stronger love for God. In a way of picturing this, the new self will have grown by shucking off the old self’s love of money. This analogy might be a slight deviation from Scripture, or it might be spot-on. If love of money had not been defeated, the old self would have stayed 55% of the person and only 45% would be like Jesus and go to heaven. On the other hand, if love of money had been eliminated, the old self would shrink and perhaps 65% of the person become like Jesus and go to heaven.
Of all of the things about the old self that needs to go for a better relationship with God as an actual Person, love of money is high on the list because it vies for allegiance in so many ways and is marked by Scripture as a threat to the continuance of faith.
Consider this parallel, considering that God is our father. A man has two twin children, both of the same gender. When he arrives home from work, one of the twins rushes up to him full of excitement to see him, hug him, and tell about the day. The other twin approaches half-heartedly, holding a dollar bill, and the first thing said is a request to be taken to the store to buy some candy. The dad will likely take both twins to the store, but in the long run, which twin will have the closer relationship with the father?
Those who rid themselves of love of and for money will have a larger heart for God now and enter heaven with a much stronger love for God. In a way of picturing this, the new self will have grown by shucking off the old self’s love of money. This analogy might be a slight deviation from Scripture, or it might be spot-on. If love of money had not been defeated, the old self would have stayed 55% of the person and only 45% would be like Jesus and go to heaven. On the other hand, if love of money had been eliminated, the old self would shrink and perhaps 65% of the person become like Jesus and go to heaven.
Of all of the things about the old self that needs to go for a better relationship with God as an actual Person, love of money is high on the list because it vies for allegiance in so many ways and is marked by Scripture as a threat to the continuance of faith.
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 5:8
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith
and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Tim 5:8
So, it is urgent that we keep one another from the love of money. Our relationship with God depends on it and our walk of faith hangs in the balance.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear God, I admit to love money and the things it can buy to some extent. I sorrow that it interferes with my trust in You, my service to You, and my contentment with You. If I am not aware of other ways I love money, please reveal those to me that I might confess and repent. I want to trust You more, serve You unhindered, and find contentment with great joy more often.
I ask You, Loving, Providing King, to help me let go of any love of money, trust in money, striving for money, and lack of contentment because of lack of money. May the Holy Spirit work wonderful surgery on my soul. And may your ordained method of other Christians keeping me from the love of money happen.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to be obedient and do the difficult work of helping one another keep from the love of money. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not let love of money birth evil things.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and not highly regard money - certainly not love it! Keep all of us in our Christian Inner Circles to not let money lead us away from the faith or pierce us with griefs. Like Jesus, we want to trust You and Your provision for us, remain dedicated to serving You, and remain totally content with You.
May our lives worship You more because we are continually thankful for You who provides money for our needs, honoring the Giver, not the gift.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by not letting him draw us away from you by tempting us with money. Since the love of money is one of Satan’s strong tools to get us to sin and disgrace You, empower us to keep one another from the love of money, giving us correct perception of one another’s susceptibility to love of money as well as the firm but loving words to use in attempting correction.
Our joy in heaven will be dependent upon how much our spirits have grown to trust You for all of our needs, to serve You without consideration of personal gain, and to be totally content with You and Your design for our lives. Therefore, help us all to prepare for heaven by keeping one another from the love of money now.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear God, I admit to love money and the things it can buy to some extent. I sorrow that it interferes with my trust in You, my service to You, and my contentment with You. If I am not aware of other ways I love money, please reveal those to me that I might confess and repent. I want to trust You more, serve You unhindered, and find contentment with great joy more often.
I ask You, Loving, Providing King, to help me let go of any love of money, trust in money, striving for money, and lack of contentment because of lack of money. May the Holy Spirit work wonderful surgery on my soul. And may your ordained method of other Christians keeping me from the love of money happen.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to be obedient and do the difficult work of helping one another keep from the love of money. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not let love of money birth evil things.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and not highly regard money - certainly not love it! Keep all of us in our Christian Inner Circles to not let money lead us away from the faith or pierce us with griefs. Like Jesus, we want to trust You and Your provision for us, remain dedicated to serving You, and remain totally content with You.
May our lives worship You more because we are continually thankful for You who provides money for our needs, honoring the Giver, not the gift.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by not letting him draw us away from you by tempting us with money. Since the love of money is one of Satan’s strong tools to get us to sin and disgrace You, empower us to keep one another from the love of money, giving us correct perception of one another’s susceptibility to love of money as well as the firm but loving words to use in attempting correction.
Our joy in heaven will be dependent upon how much our spirits have grown to trust You for all of our needs, to serve You without consideration of personal gain, and to be totally content with You and Your design for our lives. Therefore, help us all to prepare for heaven by keeping one another from the love of money now.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.