Matthew 6: 24 (KJV)
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.
The Amplified puts it in a more explicit and comprehensive way …
Matthew 6: 24 (AMPC)
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).
Here, Jesus places two masters before us, God and mammon. That’s a powerful thing to ponder on. The only entity that stands alongside with God in the scheme of things in this world, Jesus calls it mammon.
Mammon is a Syriac word for “IDOL” and a biblical term for riches. Mammon is the demon of greed, avarice and lust for money.
Paul uses the word “filthy lucre” in 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8 and Titus 1:7. It is a derogatory term for wealth gained in a dishonest, dishonorable and unethical means. When a believer is influenced by greed and shameful profit, that’s “filthy lucre”, and it is powered by mammon.
The biblical term “mammon” refers to wealth or riches that stand in opposition to God. When you place your trust in money and allow it to guide your choices, or it influences you above the authority of the Word of God; you may be influenced by mammon.
Mammon does not just affect a specific group, it can affect anyone, from the wealthiest billionaire to the poorest individual, anyone can fall under its influence. Ultimately, it’s a matter of your heart’s posture and what you choose to worship.
Mammon is simply allowing “money have you” rather than you just having money. Mammon is making money your Lord, rather than Jesus as your Lord. Mammon is when in you put your trust in material prosperity, rather than in God who gives all things richly.
Mammon is a god that makes you to work and labour to forget God. Mammon always puts you at variance with God. Mammon is when you rate your needs above God. Mammon is when you put God last and your needs first.
Mammon is self seeking, self glorifying and self serving. It’s all about self. It begins with self and ends in self. Anytime you react negatively when there’s a call to be a blessing, that’s the manifestation of mammon.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (KJV)
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
The first sentence in this scripture is the most important piece, “But Thou Shall Remember The Lord Your God”. It is very easy to forget God and credit it all to your effort. It is easy to forget to honour God with your tithes and the first fruits when you have income or profit. Until “self’ gets out of the way, mammon will always have its full expression.
The first thing you do when you get wealth (little or much) is to remember God, because He have you that power to make that wealth.
We break the spirit of Mammon by putting God first. We “seek first the kingdom” in all things. We break the spirit of Mammon by giving generously.
Remember, the main objective of Mammon is Control. Mammon is another god trying to gain control and master over your heart.
Matthew 6: 21 (KJV)
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Where your treasure is, your heart will naturally flow there; and Jesus makes it very clear: God is concerned about our hearts, and what grips our heart.
When it comes to finances, it’s either God owns your heart or mammon owns it. There’s no neutrality here. Your response to generosity, giving and kindness to other reveals whether it’s God or mammon.
Selfishness, greed, worry, dishonesty, avarice, filthy lucre stinginess and more; these are all the manifestations of mammon.
Giving is God’s strategy to remove mammon from your heart. The spirit of mammon seeks to hoard and dominate, but generosity breaks its hold. Through giving, you actively combat Mammon while putting your trust in God.
1 Timothy 6: 6 (KJV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Godliness is good and highly required, but it is not enough. Contentment is also needed to conquer Mammon. It is a state of satisfaction in God and in yourself, not being perturbed or moved by any pressure.
Hebrews 13: 5 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
If God can’t satisfy you, mammon will fill up the place, making your life miserable; comparing your life with people, focusing on what you don’t have or wishing to have what others have. All these are rooted in Mammon.
Jesus said it’s impossible to serve Mammon and serve God. Today, break whatever makes it impossible to serve God with your finances. Don’t be a slave to money. Rule over money. Break the hold today and be free financially. Glory to God!
DECLARATION
I trust in God, not in riches. I am blessed by God and I remember Him always. I put God first in all my finances. I am contented and satisfied in God who gives all things richly to enjoy. Amen!
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Luke 16:10 – 11, 1 Chronicles 29:12
HELP US BUILD A HOUSE FOR GOD
