THE LOVE OF MONEY

SERIES: THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10.

 

As a pilgrim travelled the way to the heavenly city, he spotted a spot on the roadside that attracted many pilgrims. When he went near, he found that there was an underground pit, a mine with diamonds and gold. Many pilgrims were attracted to stand on top of this deep pit to admire the gold and jewels that could be seen from the top of the pit. Unfortunately, the edge of the pit, at the top was sloping towards the pit and it was slippery. Many pilgrims who went near the pit slipped and fell into the very deep pit, never to be seen again!!

The word of God has warned us about the love of money, the love of attractions in this present world. Some examples:-

THE YOUNG RICH RULER-Matt. 19:16-22.

• This man is described as a “ruler,” he was a leader of the Jews. This man also had great wealth.
• The man called Jesus, “Good teacher” and the Lord answered him “no one is good except God,” meaning that Jesus Himself acknowledged that He is God.
• The Lord asked the man to “go and sell all that you have, give it to the poor and come and follow me,” to gain the kingdom of God. Between his wealth and the kingdom of God, the young rich ruler chose wealth. He chose to lose the kingdom of God and keep money and wealth! Given a choice between money and God, he chose money!

JUDAS ISCARIOT-Matt. 26:15.

• For Judas, 30 pieces of silver was more appealing than gaining heaven. He loved money and all that comes with it than the kingdom of God.

GEHAZI-2 Kings 5:20-27.

• The servant of Elisha the prophet, Gehazi, loved money. 
• The opportunity had not come for him to display his love for money and wealth.
• When it came his true self showed up. He ran after Naaman, asked for money and through it he lost the opportunity of inheriting prophet Elisha. 
• After Elisha died, he would possibly inherit Elisha and become a mighty prophet in Israel, but because of love of money he lost it and became a leper.

ACHAN.

• Achan could not quench his appetite for money even when God had commanded Israel that the spoils of the war, from Jericho were his. 
• He disobeyed and took 200 shekels and gold and hid them in his house.
• This caused great defeat of Israel in the battle for AI and many Israelites were killed, with all his family.

THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.

• Money is a means of exchange. It provides convenience and the Bible says that it answers all questions (economically only). There are problems that money cannot solve.
• It is easy to fall with money. Money is good but it is very easy for money to steal your soul, it is very easy to sacrifice your all life on the altar of money.
• Jesus told us “You cannot serve God and mammon”–Matt. 6:24.

WHAT LOVE OF MONEY DOES.

• Love of money causes men and women to deny God a tithe and steal from God-Malachi 3:10.
• Love of money causes people to ignore attending church on Sunday to open their businesses and make money.
• Love of money causes people to steal from the government today, engage in corruption and cause suffering to the poor in the country.
• Some people, eager for money have deserted the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs–1st Tim. 6:10.

CONCLUSION.

• It is easy to love money more than God, watch out!!
• True riches are faith in God, eternal life, Forgiveness of sins and living one’s life for the glory of God-Luke 16:11.