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We all use money to live. Money in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. It is not inherently evil. It’s our relationship with money that can get a little complicated. You’ve probably heard of the Bible verse that talks about mammon. It can impact your relationship with money. But, what is mammon, exactly?
We Are All Familiar With Mammon
Just days after God placed this information in my heart, He led me to begin reading a book called The Blessed Life by Robert Morris. Little did I know, it was the same exact information. My prayer is that this information provides you with a different perspective and freedom that can change your life.
Mammon is often used interchangeably with the word money. However, mammon and money are not the same things. We can see that Jesus talks about mammon in Matthew 6:24.
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. Matthew 6:24 KJV
When the Lord initially began to give me revelation on this topic, I began to think about how Mammon can be a master. As we know, a master is a man who has people (usually slaves or servants) working for him. The master is the one in charge.
Relationships with It
Jesus tells us that we cannot serve God and mammon. The reality is that mammon can be our master. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve somehow allowed Mammon to slip into the driver’s seat of your life and take you wherever he wanted you to go.
How often do we notice people doing things for mammon? I mean, we see it a lot in movies and real life, don’t we? Someone robs another person because they need to provide for their family. Someone robs a bank because they need a large amount of money in a small amount of time.
People sell drugs, prostitute, gamble, etc. Why? Because mammon has become their master! Mammon is in charge and tells them what to do.
It can be more subtle too! What about those of us who have done innocent things to obtain more money? Oh, how easy it can be to take on more jobs, tasks, and opportunities that God didn’t tell us to take on. We add more to our plates when God is calling us to rest.
Why do we work ourselves to the bone, tired and exhausted with nothing left to give God, our families, or even ourselves? For money! Ouch! May we continue to remember that God is our source and our provider and money & mammon are not.
So, What Is Mammon?
Mammon is an Aramaic word that means “riches” It’s a spirit that tells us that we don’t need God and that all we need are riches. It compels us to be self-sufficient, solve our own problems, and create our own happiness with money instead of relying on God. Mammon is the spirit of the world and its way of doing things. God calls us to be different.
Mammon overpromises and underdelivers. It tries to take God’s place by promising security, power, independence, and freedom. But those are things that we can only truly get from God. Mammon is in direct opposition to God. It tells us to take or steal when God tells us to give. It tells us to buy when God tells us to sow.
Money and Mammon
Money and mammon are not exactly the same. The Bible talks about money too. In 1 Timothy 6:10 it says,
For the love of money is the root of all evil: I Timonth 6:10 KJV
It doesn’t say that money is bad or evil. It simply says the love or worship of money is the root of all evil. This is where mammon comes in. Love of the spirit of mammon is what’s evil. This includes being money hungry, greedy, selfish, or wanting what other people have. It’s evil because Mammon has become your master in those cases.
Mammon will try to substitute money for God. Instead of looking to God to deliver us, provide for us, and meet our needs, we look for money to do the job. It tells us that we need more money to solve our problems, but really, we need more of God and God alone.
What Does it Mean to Serve God and Mammon?
The Bible is very clear that we cannot serve God and Mammon, but what does that even mean? Based on what we’ve discussed earlier, it means that we can’t serve God and riches. It’s impossible to allow both God and riches to be in control of our lives. We have to decide if God will have the authority or will the pursuit of wealth will have authority. The one who has authority is the one who guides our actions and behaviors.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to join me in introspection and self-evaluation. Who is your master? When you take a look at your life, your daily agenda, and your calendar who would you say that you serve?
I believe that no one is exempt from being enticed by the lure of Mammon. However, once we realize that he is pulling on our heartstrings, must make the decision to intentionally choose God as our Master.
Remember that when we seek God first everything else will be added unto us and everything else will fall into place. God is the ultimate provider and He can do more than what Mammon tells us money could ever do.
RELATED: Trusting God in All Circumstances
