May 1, 2016February 23, 2019
by in Bible Study, Church, Giving, Godtags
2
Uncovering the Spirit of Mammon

Summary

The demonic spirit of mammon is very pervasive and subtle, and it can be difficult to detect unless we remain vigilant against it. This spirit is attached to money, and it tries to persuade us to trust money more than God. Wealth and riches cannot buy healing, deliverance, grace, or any other blessings from God; trust is the currency of the kingdom. Whether or not we are trustworthy is demonstrated in how we handle money, which God considers the least important thing. We can choose to either let the spirit of mammon dictate what we do with money or allow the Spirit of God to always tell us how to manage it. If we fail to make a choice, by default the spirit of mammon will govern us in this area. Therefore, we must be careful what spirit influences us when it comes to the financial realm.

  1. Money has an impact, not just here on earth, but for all eternity.
  1. Jesus told his disciples the parable about the unjust steward who mismanaged his master’s money, and was dismissed from his position. Despite that, his master commended him for doing wisely. Jesus asked them who would commit to their trust true riches if they had not been faithful with unrighteous mammon (Luke 16:1-13).
    1. The main point behind this story is how the steward managed money. He was forward-thinking enough to cut deals with the people who owed his master money, hoping they would do favors for him when he was no longer a steward. The end result was that the mater commended him.
    2. Money should be used to take care of our future, instead of our present circumstances.
    3. Money not only impacts the present and the future, but also eternity. Jesus said that if we have done the right thing with money, when we die we will meet people we helped financially, and they will appreciate what we did for them.
    4. “The least” that Jesus referred to is money.
    5. We can be givers where we are in our finances right now. We do not have to postpone giving until we have a bigger income.
    6. “Mammon” is the Aramaic translation for money. It was also the name of the Syrian god of riches.
  1. There are some facts we need to know about mammon.
  1. It is in direct contrast to the Spirit of God.
    1. Mammon says “buy and keep.” God says “sow and reap.” It says “cheat and steal.” God says “give and receive.”
  2. It wants to rule our lives and cause us to sacrifice our very character for money.
    1. The spirit of mammon influenced the prodigal son, who left home and made poor decisions because of money. That same spirit influenced the elder son, who became angry when he learned that his younger brother had returned (Luke 15:11-32).
    2. Mammon is all about self-centeredness, which leads to bitterness.
  3. It promises to give us things only God can give us.
    1. Mammon is selfish, but God is generous.
  4. Mammon talks to us when we are trying to give to God.
    1. When the rich young ruler asked Jesus what to do to inherit eternal life, he listened to the spirit of mammon, not to Jesus (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23).
  2. Mammon has three cousins; pride, greed, and poverty.
    1. The spirit of poverty will make us ashamed of the blessings of God.
    2. The spirit of pride will not acknowledge God for his blessings. It will focus only on itself.
    3. The spirit of greed causes us to hold on to everything we have and seek even more.
  1. The objective of the spirit of mammon is to steal our trust in God.
  1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear God and depart from evil. Honor God with your substance, and with the first fruits of your increase (Proverbs 3:5-9).
    1. This is the essence of what it means to be a Christian.
    2. We must trust God before money. Mammon does not want us to acknowledge him.
  2. The spirit of mammon is unfaithful.
    1. When it is done using us, it will leave us. It does not offer us the same commitment as God. By contrast, God promises never to abandon or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).
  3. God never talks about trust without talking about money.
    1. Jesus commended the widow for giving just a little money, because she gave all she had out of trust (Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12:41-44).
  4. Mammon also has a nephew called idolatry.
    1. Idolatry results when we replace God with something or someone else. We are told to honor God with our capital and give him first priority. Mammon wants to replace God, and turn honor into dishonor.

Scripture References

Luke 16:1-13 Proverbs 3:5-9
Luke 15:11-32 Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 19:16-22 Hebrews 13:5
Mark 10:17-22

Luke 18:18-23aggai

 Luke 21:1-4

Mark 12:41-44