Week 19: May 8, 2016
Topic: Love of Money – Part 1
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 3-10
Introduction
The love of money is the excessive attachment to the material wealth of this world. It is one of the ways that Satan is using to entice/lure believers away from the righteous path and put them in bondage. It is not money that is evil, but the love of it is the root of evil; which means it is your attitude towards money when it is extreme whereby there is nothing you cannot do to get it.
Do not misunderstand me, we need money to survive. Nevertheless, we must not love money, but have the right inclination towards it; otherwise Satan will utilize it to ensnare you.
Love of Money is Root of All Evil
The Book of Timothy stated that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Many people who are craving for money have wandered from the Christianity faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows 1 Timothy 6: 10. Every soul that loves money must be careful so that they will not turn to be slave of money, whereby it is the money that will be controlling the rhythm of their lives, instead of the people controlling the money. Do not let Satan use love of money to enslave you. Brethren, do not mortgage your life to the Devil through the love of money.
The Peril of End Time
One of the perils of the last days is that people will be lovers of money, and it is manifesting like a wild fire among mankind 2 Timothy 3: 1-2. Since we are at the end time, we are experiencing and hearing news about the following incidents because of love of money:
· When husband/wife loves money: they always harm/kill their spouse because of joint possessions, life insurance benefit, money making rituals etc.
· When a child loves money: he/she can hurt/exterminate their parents’ lives because of inheritance, real estate, insurance claim etc.
· When parents love money: they will not hesitate to donate the lives of their children to/at their coven. Some will put the lives of their children in danger because of welfare and disability benefits; even some will overdose their children on medication for insurance claims.
· When a friend loves money: he/she can abduct/kidnap their friend for ransom or send hired assassins after them in order to take over their business. If they are your business partner they can poison you through arsenic compound so that they will have sole control of the business.
· When leaders of a nation love money: oppression, corruption and exploitation will be entrenched in the society. The poor/masses will be neglected and relegated to the background. Selfishness will reign among the leaders to the extent that riots, civil disobedience and rebellion will be common in such nations.
Abraham Did Not Love Money
Abraham laid the example for us his descendants to emulate when he insisted and paid the full price of field to Ephron in the presence of his people. He purchased the field as burial ground despite the insistence of Ephron to have the field free of charge.
Abraham declined the offer simply because he did not love money. In addition, he did not want human to take glory by saying, “I gave Abraham the burial field free of charge”. Maybe the descendants of Ephron the Hittite can take back the land in future if it is freely given and not purchased. Genesis 23: 10-18. It is our duty to emulate Abraham our forefather by not loving money.
Only God Can Bless and Make You Rich
Do not love money; instead love God with all your heart and He will bless you with sufficient money to cater for your needs. Christians must realize that it is only the Lord that can bless and make them to be abundantly rich. He is the one that can lift them up in life, make them great and not their love of money 1 Samuel 2: 7. Love of money will only lead you into trouble, so cling to the Lord that can make you rich and great.
The Bible stated that we should seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything we need will be added to our portion Matthew 6: 33. We must work at all costs for the Kingdom of God; it must be our priority so that our God will grant us money/riches, peace, joy and longevity. Those things that love of money cannot give us.
If we recall our memory, we will remember that one of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ was “no one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” Luke 16: 13.
Jesus Christ had warned that you cannot serve God and be enslaved to money, which means, you cannot love God and material things of this world at the same time.
If you cannot love both God and money, then which one is your choice today? Do you want to love God and forsake money or you want to love money and abandon God? I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you to make the right choice.
The Book of Proverbs confirmed that it is the blessing of the Lord that makes one rich without any added sorrow. Then wait upon the Lord to be bless; forget about loving money that can ruin your life and put you in trouble Proverbs 10: 22.
Now that you know the secret that only the blessing of the Lord can bring wealth without sorrow then, it’s worth waiting upon the Lord to be blessed rather than the love of money that brings loads of problems.
Related True Story
Many years ago, there was a couple who lived in a village in the South Western part of Nigeria. The couple was blessed with a son. However, when the son was about 6 years, their village was ravaged by tribal war. The couple escaped into the forest while their son Alani was captured with others and were taken to another village where they were sold as slaves.
Alani was sold to a merchant who liked him and treated him well. After serving his boss for about 22 years, the boss gave him liberty and set Alani free with parting gifts. Since Alani had learned trading from his boss, he decided to trade with the money received from his boss as gifts.
He made a resolution to be rich and successful before going back to his village because he didn’t want to return as a failure. After 4 years of trading, he had enough money according to his standard to be called a wealthy person. Therefore, he made plans and returned to his village.
When he got to the village he didn’t know their house/yard, so he asked to be taken to the village chief. After he narrated his story, the village chief sent Alani to the house of his biological parents to pass the night with the intension of making proper introduction the next morning.
Alani’s mother conspired with the father to kill their only son Alani because of the bagful of money that Alani brought from town. They killed Alani and buried him before dawn.
The following morning, the village head sent for Alani’s parents to come with their guest, but they replied that the guest (Alani) had left early in the morning. The village head then reveal the secret that Alani was their long-lost son that was captured during the tribal war.
They broke down in tears that their love of money had made them to kill their lost and found son. Then the village head pronounced his judgment, and they were imprisoned for the rest of their lives.
Learn from the mistakes of Alani’s parents and do not love money. Do not be wise in your own eyes thinking you can out smart Satan by guarding against such incident. Nevertheless, Satan will devise another method to deprive you the joy you deserve through the love of money, therefore, wait upon the Lord for His blessing.
Week 20: May 15, 2016
Topic: Love of Money – Part 2
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 3-10
Teachings About Love of Money
Money is the answer to everything: The Bible stated that money is the answer to everything in this world, but the passage did not specify that you must love money. Therefore, do not love money so that the Devil will not use your love for money to ruin your life Ecclesiastes 10: 19.
Brethren, there are limitations to the power of money because it can not ransom your life. It is only the Blood of the Lamb that can ransom your life, for that reason, love Jesus Christ with the whole of your heart, rather than money that can make you spend your eternity in hell.
Salvation is free: We must realize that you don’t need money to purchase Salvation. What you need for the redemption of your soul is your faith, and to love God with your whole heart; so do not love money. Prophet Isaiah confirmed this statement by saying, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters and you who have no money; come, buy and eat. Yes come, buy wine and milk without money and without price Isaiah 55: 1.
It is true; come to the water of life to quench your thirst and He will also provide for your needs free of charge. Whatever we get from the Lord is free and you don’t need money to purchase them, for that reason, do not love money, but God Revelation 21: 6, 22: 17.
Wisdom is superior to money: Wisdom and money can get you almost anything you want, but there is restriction to what money can get you because it cannot save you or give you Salvation. It is only wisdom of the Lord that has the ability to preserve or keep alive those who have it. Ecclesiastes 7: 12.
Since the superiority of wisdom has been proved from the passage read, then wisdom of the Lord is the best and must be chosen instead of money. When you fall in love with wisdom, it will lead to life, but when you fall in love with money it can lead to destruction or death.
Virtues to be considered before appointment: Part of the virtues that must be considered before electing anyone to the post of a priest or worker in the house of the Lord is that such person must not be greedy for money. Anyone who desire to be appointed to any post in the house of the Lord must not love money, else such people will not be worthy of that particular post/position. 1 Timothy 3: 3-8; Titus 1: 7.
A church leader/Overseer/Pastor is God’s servant and manager of God’s household. Such person must:
· Live a blameless life
· Not be arrogant or drunkard
· Not be quick tempered or violent
· Not love money.
Likewise the workers of the vineyard of the Lord must not love money, but they must be well respected and people of integrity.
Do not charge interest on loan: Christians must learn how to be merciful and take care of the poor among them. Whenever we loan money to the poor people in the church, we must not love money to the extent that we will charge them interest on the loan so that it will be well with us during our lifetime.
Exodus 22: 25; Deuteronomy 23: 19.
Do not let your love of money make you to refuse lending money to brethren due to its no-interest repayment. The eye of the Lord is looking at you; so do not give preference to the unbelievers who will pay interest on their loans.
King Solomon did not love money: At the beginning of Solomon’s reign in Israel, God asked him at Gibeon what he wanted. Had it been that he loved money, he would have asked for riches wealth, blessings and goodness, but instead He asked for understanding to judge justly and the Spirit of discernment to know good from evil. His request prompted the Lord to add wisdom, knowledge, honor, riches and wealth to his portion.
1 Kings 3: 4-13; 2 Chronicles 1: 7-12.
Learn from the history of Solomon and do not love money. Had it been Solomon loved money maybe he will not be talented and famous around the globe.
Lesson from the Israelites: the high priest waived the accounting of the money given to the supervisors of the constructions workers. The construction workers that are repairing the house of the Lord were given waiver because they are honest and trustworthy men who did not love money. So, let us emulate them
2 Kings 22: 3-7.
Can people vouch for you that you are honest and trustworthy? Even if people can vouch for you, can God who knows the thoughts and intents of your heart vouch for you?
History of a Money Loving Man
There was a man who is a leader in a Pentecostal Church in Nigeria. He worked in a construction firm as a purchasing manager, and had two children studying in University.
In September of year 2000, it was time for this man’s children to return to school, but the Christian brother didn’t have enough funds to pay the children school fees.
Then, the man remembered that he had a contract to be awarded for building materials on his desk. When he got to the office the following day, he contacted one of the company’s contractors who was prone to give bribe. The contractor came to his office with a bag full of cash and he accepted the man’s proposal and presented the proposal for approval. However, five days later, the contractor’s proposal was not selected, but the contract was awarded to somebody else.
The dubious contractor was furious; he went to the Christian brother’s office and caused havoc. When the officials of the construction company investigated the case, they discovered that the church leader took bribe.
The church leader lost his job and was on the hook for the refund of the bribe he took because of his love for money. Please learn from the church leader’s mistake and do not love money.
Week 21: May 22, 2016
Topic: Love of Money – Part 3
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 3-10
As previously mentioned, the love of money is one of Satan’s strategies at this end-time to win souls into his kingdom. Satan has blindfolded people to the extent that their crave for money makes them to neglect God and His works.
Examples in the Bible
Delila’s Betrayal: Delilah betrayed Samson because of her love for money. She told the lords of the Philistines the secret of Samson’s strength and how to capture him. Judges 16: 4-20. If Delilah had not betrayed Samson, maybe she would have shared out of the glory that was bestowed on Samson. In addition, she will be famous, and be a mother with a peaceful home. She lost all these things including eternal glory because of her love for money. Who knows, if she did not betray Samson, maybe God could have used her to propagate the Gospel throughout the land of the Philistines.
Gehazi was cursed: Gehazi’s greed and love of money made him to inherit the leprosy of Naaman. Naaman the Commander of the Syrian army came to Elisha and was healed of his leprosy; he presented several gifts to Elisha which Elisha refused. Gehazi pursued Naaman after he left Elisha’s presence and told Naaman that Elisha asked him to give a talent of silver and two sets of changing garments for his guests. Gehazi hid them in the house not knowing that Elisha’s soul was following him on his trip 2 Kings 5: 16-27. Gehazi received the curse of leprosy for himself and his descendants from Elisha instead of the gifts of spirit and glory. Therefore brethren, think deeply and do not love money.
Judas lost Eternal Glory: Judas betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver because of his greed for money. For this act of betrayal Judas:
· Lost eternal glory.
· His name and portion was removed from the Book of Remembrance Malachi 3: 16.
· He name was removed from the Book of Life Revelation 3: 5; 20: 15.
· He name was removed from the foundation of the New Jerusalem Revelation 21: 10-14.
· He lost his post among the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ Act 1:16-25.
It is not late for you to learn from Judas’s mistake, so do not love money or be greedy for it.
Achan and His Household Perished: Achan stole the accursed things because of his love for money and brought the anger of the Lord on the children of Israel. When Joshua investigated the issue, he retrieved the stolen items together with Achan plus all his earthly possessions were taken to the Valley of Achor. They were stoned to death and burned with fire. Joshua 7: 19-26. If you don’t want to end your life in like manners, please do not love money.
Consequences of Love of Money
Parable of the Rich Fool: The parable of a rich man whose farmland yielded plentifully. He thought within himself, so he demolished the little old barn and replaced it with a bigger one. He said to his soul, “soul you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink and be merry”. But God said to him, “Fool, this night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?” “So is everyone who lays up treasure for themselves and not rich towards God”. Luke 12: 16-21. Every soul that amasses wealth for themselves through the love of money or dishonesty will leave the wealth/riches through premature or sudden death. Do not love money, so that Almighty God can give you the grace of longevity to enjoy your wealthy/riches/money. Ecclesiastes 5: 19. I pray that we will receive the gift of God that will make us to have good health to enjoy our work/labour in the land of the living.
Wealth acquired through dishonesty will dwindle: Any wealth/money realized through dishonest means will diminish including wealth amassed through love of money; however those obtain/attain through ones labour will increase Proverbs 13: 11. Wealth/money from get-rich quick schemes always disappears quickly, but those from honest hard work grow over time. This means, anything that come easy, shall go easy. Also, such wealth will end up in the pocket of someone who will pity and be kind to the poor Proverbs 28: 8.
Lovers of money lack knowledge: The Bible stated that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because they have rejected knowledge” Hosea 4: 6. Everyone who loves money lack the knowledge of the word of God. They will end their journey in Satan’s camp, unless they retrace their steps and reconcile with the Lord. If you don’t want to perish with the world, then learn from all the scripture that has been read.
Characteristics of People Who Love Money
The characteristics of people who love money are many, but we will mention some of them during the course of this study:
Conduct business in the Church: Anyone that is transacting any form of business in the house of the Lord is exhibiting their love for money because the house of the Lord is house of prayer and not business center. Jesus Christ went into the temple of God and drove out all who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers Matthew 21: 12-13; John 2: 13-16. Therefore, give honour to the Lord, and do not transact any business in His house in order to prove that you do not love money.
Lovers of money usually break the law: People who love money sometimes break the law and do things that are in conflict with the law. Since Jesus Christ directed to us to “render to Caesar things that are Caesar’s and to God things that are God’s”. Therefore, it is important to abide with the law of the land Matthew 22: 17-21. Anyone that is breaking the law of the territory and go against constituted authorities only demonstrated their love for money and disobedience to the command of the Lord.
People that are not candid loves money: Anyone that love money will never be frank and fair in whatever they do. In fact they will behave like the Pharisees who are lovers of money that are making fun of Jesus Christ for telling the truth. The Bible testifies that the Pharisees who are hypocrites’ cannot withstand the truth spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ because of their love for money. Luke 16: 14. When you see people that are not sincere and just in their dealings, it is a sign that they love money. Such people might invite you to join their group, please refuse their invitation and counsel them. At times, they can mock or sneer at you, but do not yield to their demand, instead hold on tightly to your faith.
Week 22: May 29, 2016
Topic: Love of Money – Part 4
Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6: 3-10
People Made Money Their God
Nowadays, many people have made money their god. They are worshipping money instead of Almighty God. They are doing unimaginable and unprintable things because of love of money. In some churches, the workers/leaders are partial/bias to worshippers based on their personalities. They honour and respect the wealthy people, but the poor are neglected.
They are acting this way because of their love for money and the position of the wealthy in the society. Brethren have distorted the word of the Lord that says, “If you show partiality, you have committed a sin and you are guilty of breaking the law. James 2: 2-9. Pastors/workers do not honour and respect people based on their garment/clothing or appearance. Do not appoint people to positions in the house of the Lord based on their donations or monetary contributions alone, but appoint them based on their spiritual gifts.
Do not Love the World
Many churches are in confusion whereby brethren are betraying the doctrine of Christianity because of their love for money. I want us to remember the epistle of John that advised us not to love the world or the things in the world part of which is money. If you love money/world the love of God is not in you says the Bible 1 John 2: 15. Do not love this world or the things it offers you including money; whenever you love the world, then the love of heavenly father is not in you.
Christians are Sojourners
Believers must realize that we did not belong to this world. We are sojourners in this world, and heaven is our home. Moreover this world is passing away with all its possessions, lusts and obsessions. Nevertheless, believers that do the will of God will abide forever even if others perish 1 John 2: 17. Do not be deceived, you brought nothing into this world and you cannot take anything out of this world. All your so-called money/riches and wealth that prevented you from harkening to the voice of God shall be left behind. Whether we like or not, this world is fading away along with its lusts together with everything that makes people to be greedy. It is those who do the will of God that will survive. You have to love God and not money to live forever.
People Prefer Job/Money to God
Many believers have stop attending church services; some will be absent at the Sabbath day service while others have irregular service attendance record because of their love for money. When they are asked the reason(s) for their absence, they usually say, “I have to work to pay my bills”.
It is true everybody has bills to pay, but you can work moderately in manners that you will still have time to worship God.
I want them to understand that “He who loves money/job shall not be satisfied with money and he who loves abundance will never be satisfied with increase. This is also vanity Ecclesiastes 5: 10. It is absurd for lovers of money to think that wealth brings true happiness/joy because it is only the Lord that can give you joy. When you love money, you will never have enough to be satisfied. Therefore, do not love money.
Mystery of the Temptation
The mystery of the temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Bible was based on food/money, idol worshipping/spiritual adultery and blasphemy/daring God in this order Luke 4: 3-12. If Satan used these three strategies for Jesus Christ our Lord, then all Christians must be prepared because Satan may not limit himself to these schemes when tempting them. Also the fact that you have overcome the temptation of the Devil does not mean that He will not return in a crafty way to tempt you. So, do not love money.
People Measure Success in Terms of Wealth
Mankind is the architect of their downfall because people tend to measure one’s success in terms of money, wealth/riches and achievements which is wrong. It is this attitude of humans that makes people to crave for money and simply fall into the trap of Satan. Therefore, change your view about success and start measuring people’s success according to their riches in Jesus Christ our Lord. Colossians 3: 16. Let the message about Christ in all its richness fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom Jesus gives. Sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. These steps will make it difficult for the Devil to make you fall in love with money.
Only God Gives Riches and Honour
Power, riches and greatness comes from the Lord. When we have money what we need is fame and greatness that only God can give. So, why not stay with the Lord that can give us the finished product (fame and greatness) that we desire rather than love money and perish 1 Chronicles 29: 12.
It has been written that riches and honour belongs to God and He gives it to whoever pleases Him inasmuch as the riches will not lead such person astray. Proverbs 8: 18.
Recently, lots of Christians are asking for riches and wealth, but did not receive because they are not asking for enduring riches and righteousness that will not make them to stray from God. Our God will never give you wealth that will lead you astray even if you ask for it. The Bible confirmed the Lord’s stand by stating that “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16: 26. Therefore, whatever wealth that God has bestowed on you, it is the wealth that you can manage effectively without going astray.
Humility and Fear of the Lord Equals Riches
Do not love money that can cause disaster in your journey and ruin your life, but humble yourself and fear the Lord so that you will be rewarded with riches, honour and long life Proverbs 22: 4. Since we learn from the passage that humility and fear of the Lord leads to riches, honour and longevity, why not pursue it and abandon the love of money completely.
The Seal: Hebrews 13:5
Let your conduct be without covetousness, be content with such things that you have. Also stay away from the love of money, be satisfied with what you have. For God has said concerning you that “I will never leave/fail you nor abandon you.