Christians Only Material: Overcoming the love of money

By Tope Banso
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money” (2 Timothy 3:1-2a New King James Version).
Everybody needs money. But God doesn’t want us to be possessed by the love of money like the Pharisees whom Jesus referred to as “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14).
We’re in the last days. One mark of being a lover of money is willingness and desperation to do anything (sinful, immoral or against societal laws) to get money. Are there things like these you’re ready to do for a certain amount? That is the love of money.
Many people have elevated money above God. They worship money, and God hates idolatry including worshipping money. He wants you to dethrone this idol in your heart. The Psalmist prays: “Help me to prefer obedience to making money!” (Psalm 119:36 The Living Bible). Love of money makes one disobey God’s Word just to get it despite claiming to be Christians.
How to overcome the love of money
1. Make heaven your first priority. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Let your desire be towards God (1Timothy 6:11-15). Any business that will rob you of eternal life is not worth it (Mark 8:36).
2. Be content with what you have. Avoid greed and covetousness which the Bible forbids (Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21; Luke 12:15, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 5:11, Ephesus 5:5). “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own” (Luke 12:15 New Living Translation).
3. Recognize the difference between your needs and your wants. What drives most people to sinful and criminal practices, is their greed not their needs. The Bible says, “So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1Timothy 6:8 New Living Translation).
4. Don’t nurse a desperate ambition to be rich. Work hard and work smart but avoid a desperate ambition to be rich which only plunges people into ruin and destruction (1Timothy 6:9). The Amplified Bible calls it “the crave to be rich.” The blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
5. Acknowledge the vanity of riches. You won’t take anything out of this earth; you brought nothing (1Timothy 6:7; Ecclesiastes 2:18). According to Ecclesiastes 5:10, if you love money or wealth, neither will bring you satisfaction.
6. Understand that the love of money will expose you to many temptations – to steal, cheat, cut corners, etc. just to be rich or richer (1Timothy 6:6-10).
7. Be a giver and operate the Kingdom financial principles. Generous giving destroys the spirit of greed and covetousness. Be generous towards God and people (Galatians 6:6-10; Isaiah 32:8, Proverbs 11:24).
8. Carefully examine your motives regularly. It’s very easy to slip into a mind condition of love of money unconsciously. Search your heart regularly. Study and meditate on God’s Word.
Beware of the love of money. Trust God for your provision but be diligent – he who refuses to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Never violate God’s word because of money.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
●●Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached via cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com;  on Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523; and on  WhatsApp No: +2349081295947. (For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org)