Work Shop The Love of Money

The Apostle Paul stated that the love of money is the root of all evil. This seems like too strong a statement. But when we consider the wickedness in the world of today, and then realize how many of the wicked acts proceed from the lust for money, we are more willing to follow Paul in this.

Of all the gods of the Greeks and Romans, the Lord Jesus mentioned only Mammon, reputed to be the Syrian god of riches. No man can serve the true God and also Mammon. He must select one or the other as his god in whom he trusts. Most of us Americans worship money. Perhaps we do not realize it, but we do.

"Covetousness is idolatry," Paul said.

Our god is he or that which we trust to provide security and survival, pleasure, and achievement. The reason we Americans seek to amass as much money as we can is so we do not have to trust God to provide for us. We may express all sorts of justification as to why we want to store up more money than we need, apart from a reasonable provision for the future. The reason for our anxiety is that we are afraid there is no God, or if there is He is not able or willing to take care of us.

It is not impossible for the American economy to suffer a severe setback in the near future. If it does, God will still provide our needs. God can take care of every need we have at all times even if our entire nation becomes bankrupt. God is not at all bound by the American economy.

Primary Scriptures

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Matthew 6:28)

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 6:13)

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5)

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 grief's. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Overcoming trust in money is not easy. However, if we truly desire to be like Jesus and trust God for all our needs, the Lord will cause the needed transformation to take place in our personality.

Our task is to seek first the Kingdom of God of God and His righteousness. God's task is to perfectly fulfill His promises concerning us.

Suggested References

The Antichrist, The False Prophet, and the Image; God or Cattle? The Love of Money

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic. 30

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

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