I know we all want to be financially stable and debt-free. Therefore we all work hard to get to that level. However, at the same time as a true child of God, we don’t want to fall into the trap of money. We don’t want to be called lovers of money. Those serious about their relationship with God can understand what I am saying.
True believers of God always want to do everything according to the Lord, so that we can please Him by everything we do and have peace that Jesus got us at the end. Our ways and lives must always please Him. Whether it is physically, emotionally, spiritually, or financially, we must please Him through every area of our lives.
A few days ago I was meditating on the letters of Paul to Timothy. It’s very amazing to read how powerfully Paul was teaching Timothy about the qualities of God’s servant and how a man of God should behave in the church. If you get time, please give your attention to reading 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. It will bless your ministry and your life. As I was reading 1 Timothy I came to a passage where Paul is talking about greed and about people who are lovers of money.
“ 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5, and constant friction between people of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
(1 Timothy 6: 3-10)
When I studied what Paul was trying to say when he talked about the love of money, I felt in my spirit to write a blog.
Now, let’s dive in deep to see what the signs of a money lover are –
1) A LOVER OF MONEY THINKS MONEY IS ABOVE EVERYTHING.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
[1 Timothy 6:9]
Now, making money and thinking about being rich is not what Paul is talking about here. Many religious people say the poorer we are the more spiritual and closer we are to God. That is so false. If being rich is not from the Lord, then why did God bless Abraham, Joseph, David, and the greatest of all Solomon? In fact God wants us to be financially stable. Show me in the Bible where God says, my desire is that my children should be poor and beg for money. You will not find that. Instead, I can show where He says His children will lend to the nations. They will be the head and not the tail.
If we being bad know how to give goods to our children then how much a heavenly Father who is good and holy? Matthew 7:11 (Meditate on it)
First, it is clear that being poor is not the will of God. Then, what is Paul saying?
The lover of money is not the person who desires to be rich in the right direction of God but the one for whom money is everything. The lover of money can use any way good or evil to make money out of it.
They will put money above relationships, humanity, people’s feelings, etc. No wonder, why murder, robbery, and many other crimes take place and with that OnlyFan, pornography, prostitution, and other evil ways exist because that’s what a money lover does. No matter what source they choose, their only goal is to make money out of it.
Therefore Paul says those desires are only about making money fall into traps, temptations, and many foolish desires and get themselves ruined. They forget their God and make money their God.
When Paul was talking about this, he was focusing on people who are using God and the gospel to gain wealth. People were proclaiming messages that people wanted to hear, not want God wanted so that they could be rich. Therefore, He was warning Timothy not to preach any false message or something wrong in order to gain wealth. (Read 1Timothy 6: 3-5)
God gives us money and everything for our enjoyment but don’t think money is everything. Put your trust in God. Earn money with the direction of God, you will be more happy. Don’t rush or take shortcuts. “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” [Proverbs 13:11]
Don’t make wealth your God. Don’t put your trust in money. If you are doing these then you are a lover of money.
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
[1 Timothy 6:17]
2) A LOVER OF MONEY PUTS HIS TRUST ON MONEY
It is very obvious that money can help you get what you want and make your life easy.
So people want to keep as much money as they can to secure their future and fulfill their desires. I see there is nothing wrong with making plans for the future. Since money plays a big role in human life. I do it and in fact, the Bible tells us to save something for it will help on rainy days like ants store food for rainy days. However, Securing the future and trusting in mammon (money) have two different meanings. I may save or invest but I cannot trust in my savings because I never know if I will be alive to enjoy that savings. Money helps me to enjoy my life but God is the one who can allow me to enjoy that.
We save money because of God-given brain tells us it is the smart thing to do but trusting money is foolish for the Bible says wealth is so uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17). Even if we are saving or investing for the future, we cannot rely on that because you don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
You might know a very well-known passage where David says people trust in “their chariots and horses but I trust in the Lord” meaning people trust in their power and wealth. David never lost in his life because he never trusted in his power, strategy, or wealth. He would always inquire about the Lord and then go to the war.
He knew that his victory was in the Lord, not in his power or army.
Those who trust in money and think money is the only thing that can give them their desired life a lover of money.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
(Psalm 20:7)
3) A LOVER OF MONEY CAN’T BE SATISFIED
Those who love money more than anything are in some kind of trap where no matter how much they get, they would always want more. Listen, money is not the problem but love of money is. One can use money for good works, and another for bad works, it is on the person how he uses it.
I have seen fights and divorce because of money. Many churches are shut down because people cannot handle funds properly. Big ministries and organizations are closed because leaders become corrupt. Why? The love of money. Finance is a very sensitive subject, children of God and mostly leaders should handle it with more care and with more transparency. One mistake in finance can change your reputation and character.
People who think money is everything will abuse their power to get money. Bribing, false charges, false witness, false reporting, lying, stealing, etc are their money-making ways. Their hunger and thirst for money, wealth, gold, and silver will never die until they die. The reason is that they think having a lot of money will give them respect and peace. To be honest, at some point, this is true, if you have money, this world will give you fame and attention. Even the Bible says “rich has many friends”. However, it’s going to last until you die. Once you die you are as naked as you were on your first day on the earth. So making money in the right way, according to the word of God is essential so that you can have God-given fame and His peace on the earth and when you die you can have eternal life in heaven.
I have seen famous people kill themselves. Money is not the answer for your fame, respect, and peace. You can get real peace only in the presence of God.
If you are one of those people, no matter what how much you have is not enough then you are a lover of money.
“Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
[Proverbs 15:16]
How to come out of the money trap?
Reading all these signs if you think you are one of money lovers, you don’t need to feel ashamed. Sooner or later everyone makes mistakes, I have made mistakes. Now, To come out of it, first, repent of your sins and ask help from the Lord. Second, the Bible says to Have a spirit of contentment, this is very important. Decide your limit, don’t become a greedy Christian or greedy rich, try to share your bread with others too. (now I can write a whole new blog on this topic).
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
[1 Timothy 6: 6-8]
Know God is your provider and He is not going to fail you. Money is just a tool to use on the earth to live your life and not make money your life. Try to spread the love of God by giving financially.
Giving away is an effective way of coming out of the money trap.
Know that God wants you to prosper in everything and He will make you rich, you don’t need to make money your primary goal, make God your primary goal and God will make you wealthy. You may call me prosperity preacher now but I strongly believe God wants all of us to live in abundance. He knows how to make someone rich and wealthy.
7 The Lord makes some poor and others rich;
He brings some down and lifts others up.
8 He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
placing them in seats of honor.
For all the earth is the Lord’s,
and He has set the world in order.
[1 Samuel 2:7-8]
Follow God’s voice and watch your life change.
