The deception of riches is nothing new in our world. Since ancient times our enemy, satan, has used riches as a tactic to keep people away from God or lead them away from Him. In Scripture, we learn that it is not money that is evil but the love of money which corrupts. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. [1]
How do riches deceive us? They make promises they can’t keep. The world tells us that wealth is the answer to our problems and a gauge of the Lord’s blessings in our life. Money makes us think our value lies in our wealth, which will give us comfort and rest. In reality, only the presence of the Lord provides comfort and rest.
Riches Camouflage a Danger
A rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to give away his riches and come and follow him because He knew satan was using his wealth to lead him away from Him. Jesus knew the best way to break the enemy’s strategy was for the man to give away everything and come and follow him. If he gave away his riches, Jesus knew the enemy could no longer use them against him. How would he respond to Jesus? Would he give his money away and follow Him?
Mark 10:22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” [2]
The Lord Gives True Riches
One day all of us will step into eternity. The believer will join Jesus in the heavenly realm. This place is wonderful beyond what we can imagine. (Ref. 1 Cor. 2:9) Scripture teaches the Kingdom of heaven is worth everything we have. Matthew 13:45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! [3]
Jesus promises a home the Lord is building for us in heaven (John 14:2). The riches of heaven will make anything we pursue in this world look worthless in comparison. We will have a home in heaven and be rich in relationships with Jesus and other believers.
To hear more about the deception of riches, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-when-riches-rob-you-of-jesus
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.