“The love of money is the root of all evil,” says the Scriptures. This has become the one most sought-after element ever since the barter system ceased to exist. This has also taken more people to hell than anything else because money gives power to man to exercise his own will – against the will of God. The more money one has, the more powerful one feels – powerful over everyone around, over the environment, and over everything that exists at one’s disposal. But the sad fact remains that money has no power over one’s emotional and spiritual needs. As the Scriptures point out “the abundance of riches is not life”. One can never be satisfied with money. Mark the last words of Steve Jobs. And remember our local Coffee Baron.

• The world focuses on money and worldly parents prepare their children for a prosperous future. Christian parents are supposed to bring up their children in the fear of the Lord. It is a sad reality that this is not even on the list of things that believing parents intend to teach their children. One such supposedly-Christian parent sent their daughter to a talk show to support the team that argued that money is more important than character to succeed in life – and the daughter is set for a “successful” career in the world of media now. Shameful!

• Unbelievers are already wedded to this god called Money. They will do anything as long as it brings in more money into their kitty. One famous Venture Capitalist in the US openly states: “I want to wake up with more money tomorrow than what I have today”. Money is the “other man” that Christians are after instead of God their husband. Jesus Christ is the bridegroom who is waiting for His bride to join Him at the rapture but the Church of today has left Him and has chosen Money as her beloved. This is pure lasciviousness and spiritual harlotry. And today’s pastors are grooming the Lord’s Bride to be a harlot seeking after the world instead of preparing the Church as “a pure one with no spot or blemish”.

• The worldly pursue their gods for money as this is their only measure of success in life. They offer money to their gods as an investment. Covetousness is also equated with idolatry in Col 3:5. Believers who don’t worship idols as such are still committing the grievous sin of idolatry if they are focused on earning money and amassing material wealth instead of the pursuit of God.

• The so-called servants of God of today have molded the minds of their congregation to believe that their God is a money-making machine that will shower material blessings as long as they keep giving to the Pastor (and not to any other ministry or minister). “Name it, claim it, and receive it”, is a formula that will work if one is loyal to their “church”.

• People who covet money “err from the faith and pierce themselves through with many sorrows” – 1 Tim 6:10. Depression is more prevalent among Christian families and believers because of their focus shifting from living the life of Christ to living a life seeking after money. Paul’s words are noteworthy – flee these things! (Beware of crypto-currency like bitcoins (great technology; wrong application!) – it might be another instrument of Satan to take hold of people and their wealth and devour them in the end).

• Jesus warned of the rich who would not let go of their riches for Christ’s sake to carry the cross and follow Him daily. He added that it is impossible for a rich man to enter into His kingdom with His riches. The believer is admonished to use it to meet the needs of the citizens of God’s kingdom. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1Tim 6:17-19.