For the Love of Money

 

“No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6.24

 

August 27, 2010 

          “I don’t know why we have to have money,” she said. We were at the training center last week and the young woman giving her presentation had taken a side street on money and ministry. “Why can’t we go back to the barter system or something?”

          Really? Personally, I don’t want to be paid with a goat, three chickens and some grain. I find cash far simpler.

          Like many raised in the church, she was uncomfortable with money and the ministry. She needs to get over it. Yes, there are clear boundaries about money and its effect on us, but the same is true with food. Anyone out there want to outlaw food because some people are gluttons? Anyone?

          The word translated “mammon” in this verse has its roots in a pagan prosperity deity. Jesus isn’t telling us to disdain money, but to master it. Most of us don’t master our money. It masters us. And so we find ourselves serving money rather than money serving us.   

Prayer: Lord, if I am to fully serve You, I must master my possessions.

Copyright 2010 Michael Sanders 

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Former Pastor Mike Sanders and wife, Kathy

MikeandKathywebsized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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