God's Economy #13: Materialism, Part 2

The love of money, or materialism, as we saw in part one, is not a spending problem. Following 1 Timothy 6, it is a sin problem. In part two, we learn that it is a fallen world and worship problem.

Because we live in a fallen world, we face temptations daily, including covetousness. When Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money, the Pharisees deride him. To deride in Greek means to turn one's nose up. Although we may be tempted to think the phrase is somewhat humorous, it is not. The same word describes the rulers' reaction to the crucifixion. Jesus has cut the Pharisees to the quick; he has touched a nerve, exposing their love of money. The consequence is that those who love money, like the Pharisees, will be caught in Satan's snare—doing his will.

Paul goes on to describe the love of money as a root. A root nourishes the tree, yet it is concealed from view as it grows. The love of money is a root of not just one kind of tree but all sorts of different trees of sin. So, for example, if you're struggling with pride or neglecting your soul, the root problem could be the love of money.

The love of money is also a worship problem. Those who desire to be rich or love riches are worshiping money. This is vanity, grasping for the wind. The Bible tells us that we become what we worship: made into the image of our idols or our Creator. The apostle Paul tells us that those who love money stray from the faith and are pierced or impaled with sorrows.