The subtlety of the control of riches in our lives often goes unnoticed.  It’s not until generosity comes in conflict with self-preservation that we are faced with a decision: follow God’s leading and trust His provision, or rely on ourselves, our savings, and our supply. 

Preliminaries:

1. When God speaks about “money” He is including possessions 
2. Money isn’t the problem, the love of money is the problem
3. Money is a crafty master 

Observations & Conclusions: 

1. The idol of money will devastate you
2. The idol of money is enslaving
3. The idol of money is fleeting
4. The idol of money will prevent you from following Jesus
5. The idol of money will leave you with the impossibility of your own ability
6. The idol of money is eclipsed by the generosity of benevolence of Jesus

Application: How can I make sure riches aren’t my idol? 

1. Put God First
2. Pursue utility on earth for treasure in heaven
3. Give your money away as an act of faith and you will be free of it’s idolatrous control

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” – Abraham Kuyper

1 Timothy 6:9-10

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Jude 11

“Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.”

2 Peter 2:19

“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Ecclesiastes 5:15

“Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.”

1 Timothy 6:7

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Matthew 13:22

“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

Luke 9:59-60

“He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Hebrews 11:4

“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”