Money is a cultural symbol, or currency, that can be exchanged for something we value. However, dark influences can quickly deceive our thoughts (mind) and feelings (heart), creating the assumption that what money can buy is greater than God.
Money is a dangerous blessing because of its power to deceive and darken our hearts. Money is a cultural symbol, or currency, that can be exchanged for something we value. However, dark influences can quickly deceive our thoughts (mind) and feelings (heart), creating the assumption that what money can buy is greater than God. If we fall captive to its carnal power, we enslave ourselves to greed.
God created money, sex, and power to be used within His will - in a way that is honorable and Christ-centered. However, because of evil temptations, we have chosen to worship these three gifts instead of God, who created them. This is the spiritual warfare we fight against satan over the blessings God has given us. Losing this battle means using God's blessings for our self-benefit, winning this battle means living according to God's purpose.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
THE BLESSING
Money is a gift from God.
God blesses us with our talents, knowledge, skill, physical strength, and health so that we have the ability to produce wealth.
God provides these things so that we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and be occupied with joy.
This is a reminder that our true treasure is only found in the Lord and our money should be used for what brings Him honor, glorify, and praise.
But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18
Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20
THE PERVERSION
Money is twisted by satan.
Satan tempts us into abusing God's gift of money by promising...
Fame
Security
Safety
Happiness
A primary example is Satan's twisted magnification of the importance of material things.
This corruption of thought creates greed, which is the root of financial sin.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Acts 5:3
FINANCIAL SIN INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO…
Idolizing Money
But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. Psalms 115:4
Financial Gluttony
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 6:9-10
Love of Money
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
Financial & Material Covetousness
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. James 4:2
THE EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL SIN INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO...
Dissatisfaction
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10
Unfaithfulness
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10
Enslaved to debt
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
Selfishness
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. Ecclesiastes 5:13-14
REFLECT
If you've read this far down the page, take the time to examine what Scripture might be telling you about your own life. It's more than likely that you're questioning your motives and the motives of those around you. That's the response we hope for because the world and the traditions of man contradict the Word of God. Walking in the darkness and sin means using God's good gift of money for things that are outside of God's will for your life. Walking in the light and with Jesus means utilizing money for things that are God-honoring and within His will. Ask yourself these questions:
How does money affect my heart and my thoughts?
Have I given credit to God for providing the means and situation necessary to work and make money?
How have I been using money to pursue good? How have I been using money to pursue evil?
What financial sins do I see around me? What financial sins do I see within me? (i.e. idolizing money, financial gluttony, love of money, financial and material covetousness, etc.)
What effects of financial sin do I see in the world? What effects of financial sin do I see in my life? (i.e. dissatisfaction, unfaithfulness, enslaved to debt, selfishness, etc.)
Is my heart free from greed?
How can I start using money for good today?
What does freedom from financial sin look like?
Overcoming spiritual warfare is resisting satan's temptation to abuse God's gift for your own gain and remaining strong in the Lord by overcoming and defeating the lies of the enemy. We will be talking about the application and worldview of money in part 2.
Dear Lord,
Whoever has ears let them hear what Your Spirit has to say.
Amen.
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Sources: Desiring God, Got Questions
Money is a dangerous blessing because of its power to deceive and darken our hearts. Money is a cultural symbol, or currency, that can be exchanged for something we value. However, dark influences can quickly deceive our thoughts (mind) and feelings (heart), creating the assumption that what money can buy is greater than God. If we fall captive to its carnal power, we enslave ourselves to greed.
God created money, sex, and power to be used within His will - in a way that is honorable and Christ-centered. However, because of evil temptations, we have chosen to worship these three gifts instead of God, who created them. This is the spiritual warfare we fight against satan over the blessings God has given us. Losing this battle means using God's blessings for our self-benefit, winning this battle means living according to God's purpose.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
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