1 Corinthians 10:7 KJV
[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Ephesians 5:5 KJV
[5] For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The god of materialism.

One of the most relevant idols we are tempted to bow down is the god of money, mammon, riches, materialism, finer things of life, greed, the material things that war against the immaterial, which in a philosophical sense refers to the spiritual.

As material beings existing in a material world we must deal with material things, but if not careful the things we possess or things we desire to possess can become a rival to God. God desires the best for His children, contrary to what many may believe and the nagging mindset that plagues many a soul, having an abundance of the material wealth of this world does not equal the best God has in store.

From a biblical standpoint here are some reasons material wealth is not the same as the abundant life God has for us.


Matthew 6:19-34 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [24] No man 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. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …


1. If our life is all about material wealth, we cannot truly serve God.

Matthew 6:24 KJV
[24] No man 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.

As believers, we know the truth, we want to be serving God for we know everything else is
peripheral.

2. A materialistic mindset plunges the soul into darkness.

Matthew 6:22-23 KJV
[22] The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [23] But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! …

We do not see clearly when we are consumed and ruled by materialistic desires. Jesus says how great is the darkness, we may believe we are in God's will but be far from it if we let greed rule in our life.

3. Materialism takes our heart.
Matthew 6:21 KJV
[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Proverbs 4:23 KJV
[23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

I view the heart as the command center that controls the direction and the pace of our life. If my life is all about riches, what course will it take?

4. Riches are temporal.

Matthew 6:19-20 KJV
[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: …

5. Greed is a trap

1 Timothy 6:5-10 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. …

The deceptive trap of riches that promise security and happiness but brings harm to the soul.

6. We have a Heavenly Father who Jesus promised would take care of us.

Matthew 6:25-34 KJV
[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
The text speaks for itself. I do not blame unbelievers for chasing after the things of this world, they do not have this hope we have but as believers we have no excuse for giving into the God of materialism, God has given us all things.

2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

How do I know if I have given in to greed?

One of the best ways indicators is if I am willing to compromise my moral walk for money? Will I sacrifice my integrity or honesty for material wealth.

Another indicator is if material wealth occupies my mind and consumes my time more than is necessary.

Does it pain me to give to God?

Does it pain me to give to others?

Is the direction of my life based on dollar signs or the word of God and the Holy Spirit.

If we answered yes to any of these we should do some serious praying about it.



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