Money can make people do strange things.  It can influence normally mild-mannered people to act in unbecoming ways, and cause intelligent people to make irrational, bad decisions. This is because the paper and coins that we see in the natural can attract a supernatural spirit called mammon. Mammon operates in exact opposition to God, and we must be careful not to fall under its influence.

The spirit of mammon attaches itself to money, and influences people to trust it instead of God. The rich young ruler who met God face-to-face shrank back from following Him, choosing instead to trust more in his own riches. While the world tells us money matters more than anything else, Jesus warns us against greed and explains that life is about more than just material possessions. Trusting in wealth makes us its servants; we must choose for ourselves whether to serve God or mammon.

Because of His favor toward us, God promises to take care of us when we trust Him in all areas, including in our finances. When we seek His kingdom, first, everything else will be added unto us. We simply need to be careful not to let our priorities get mixed up. Money is just a tool, and there’s nothing wrong with having it; however, if we love it more than God, we only hurt ourselves.

The devil doesn’t want us to understand the truth about money, so he does all he can to spread lies and misinformation about it. The world tells us it’s evil and Christians should be poor, but living like Christ allows Him to abundantly bless us in every area, including in our finances. God wants us to confidently trust in the riches of His grace. We can do so when we separate the spirit of mammon from money. 

Prayer:

Lord, your will for us includes financial prosperity. However, one of the things Jesus taught us is that a wrong relationship with money damages our lives. Thank You for warning us about the dangers of trusting in it more than in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures

Matthew 19:16-22

Mark 10:17-22

Luke 18:18-23

Luke 12:15

Matthew 6:24, 33

1 Timothy 6:10

Ephesians 1:7