Have you ever noticed how quickly money can capture your attention?
A raise, a new opportunity, a higher income goal. Sometimes it feels like no matter what you earn, it still isn’t enough.
There’s a subtle pull in every human heart toward “just a little more.” And if we’re not careful, that pull can become a pursuit that slowly replaces God as the One we trust, worship, and obey.
Money itself isn’t the enemy. Scripture never condemns wealth, earning, planning, or saving. But the Bible is very clear about one thing:
Loving money is spiritually dangerous.
And the danger is far more hidden than most people realize.
In this post, let’s take a closer look at what Scripture actually says—so we can guard our hearts, honor God, and steward our resources with wisdom and faithfulness.
What the Bible Actually Says: Not “Money Is Evil,” But “Love of Money Is…”
Many people, even Christians, often say, “Money is the root of all evil.” But the Bible doesn’t say that.
1 Timothy 6:10 says:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…”
The emphasis is on the love of money.
The problem isn’t income goals or bank accounts. It’s the heart behind them.
Money is neutral. It can be used for great good or great harm. But when our hearts cling to it, when we rely on it, crave it, or make it the measure of our worth, it becomes a spiritual threat.
The surrounding verses in 1 Timothy 6 give us a sober picture: temptation, discontentment, harmful desires, grief, and spiritual destruction. This warning applies to every believer, regardless of income level.
Jesus’ Warning: “You Cannot Serve God and Money”
Jesus didn’t say money might become a master. He said it will, if we let it.
Matthew 6:24:
“You cannot serve God and money.”
Not “try not to.”
Not “be careful with it.”
But cannot.
Why? Because money doesn’t sit quietly in the background. It asks for trust, promises security, and invites you to believe that worth and stability come from what you have—not who God is.
When money becomes a master, it shapes decisions, priorities, and affections. It can even shape our theology.
Jesus spoke about money so often because He knew its power. He didn’t want His followers falling into a trap that steals peace, stunts spiritual growth, and weakens intimacy with God.
Life Isn’t About Possessions: The Parable of the Rich Fool
In Luke 12:15, Jesus says:
“Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Then He tells the story of the rich fool—a man with abundance, expansion plans, and big dreams. His mistake wasn’t success or wealth.
His mistake was forgetting God.
He hoarded instead of stewarding. He lived for himself instead of eternity. He believed security came from possessions instead of God.
God’s response was piercing:
“This very night your soul is required of you.”
The warning is clear:
Loving money blinds us to eternal reality.
It creates a false sense of safety and keeps our eyes on the temporary instead of the lasting.
Old Testament Wisdom: A Heart Check We All Need
The Old Testament repeatedly warns against covetousness and misplaced trust.
- The tenth commandment forbids coveting.
- Proverbs warns against dishonest gain and chasing wealth.
- Ecclesiastes reminds us that “the one who loves money is never satisfied.”
- Prophets rebuked people for trusting riches instead of God.
These teachings are timeless because human nature hasn’t changed. Our modern world offers more opportunities, more luxuries, and more ways to compare ourselves.
But the temptation is the same:
Will I trust God, or will I trust money?
Why the Love of Money Is Spiritually Dangerous
Understanding the warnings is one thing. Seeing how they work in our lives is another.
Here are the dangers Scripture highlights—often quietly, subtly, and gradually.
1️⃣ Love of Money Leads to Idolatry
Idolatry isn’t only bowing to statues. It’s giving anything more affection, trust, or influence than God.
Money becomes an idol when:
- You feel secure because of your savings
- You feel anxious when finances shift
- You measure success by income instead of faithfulness
- You pursue money even when God says “stop”
- You obey money’s demands over God’s commands
In those moments, money becomes a functional god.
Exodus 20:3:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
When we love money more than God, we break this command in the heart long before anyone sees it outwardly.
2️⃣ It Destroys Contentment
True contentment comes from trusting God, not numbers or circumstances.
But the love of money whispers:
“You need more.”
“You don’t have enough.”
“You won’t be secure unless…”
It breeds restlessness, kills gratitude, and fuels constant comparison.
1 Timothy 6:6:
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Hebrews 13:5:
“Be content with what you have… I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Contentment grows from God’s presence, not financial status.
3️⃣ It Can Lead People Away from the Faith
Paul warns that some have wandered from the faith because of their desire for money (1 Timothy 6:10).
This drift happens slowly:
- Choosing career over calling
- Compromising integrity for profit
- Chasing opportunities that weaken spiritual life
- Adopting teaching that promises financial gain
- Prioritizing busyness over worship and service
Over time, the heart shifts. Love for God fades while love for money grows.
4️⃣ It Blinds Us to Eternity
What we love shapes what we live for. When money becomes the goal, eternal things fade into the background.
Scripture keeps bringing us back to what truly matters:
- Treasures in heaven
- Fruit that lasts
- Lives changed
- People reached
- A legacy of faithfulness
Eternity, not accumulation, is the true measure of a life well-lived.
The Real-World Effects of Loving Money Today
Few Christians would ever say, “I love money more than God.”
The danger is revealed in everyday patterns and quiet attitudes.
Here are the modern signs and consequences.
1️⃣ Distorted Stewardship
When the heart loves money, giving becomes difficult. Generosity feels like loss, tithing feels like a burden, and stewardship becomes about control instead of surrender.
The result?
- Hoarding
- Fear
- Clenched fists
- Reluctance to bless others
- A lifestyle that serves self instead of God
2️⃣ Defining Success the Wrong Way
Culture measures success by:
- Income
- Lifestyle
- Status
But Scripture measures it by:
- Faithfulness
- Obedience
- Love
- Generosity
- Character
When we love money, we exchange God’s definition for the world’s.
3️⃣ The Pressure to Keep Up
Social media amplifies comparison:
“Look at their house…”
“Look at their income…”
“Look at their vacations…”
This creates constant pressure to upgrade, possess, and achieve. But that pressure doesn’t lead to peace but exhaustion.
4️⃣ Churches Are Not Immune
Love of money can influence:
- Ministry decisions
- Teaching emphasis
- Leadership choices
- Outreach priorities
- The culture of giving
Some ministries drift from mission to materialism without even realizing it. That’s why believers must constantly evaluate their hearts and their churches through Scripture.
How to Guard Your Heart and Steward Your Resources Well
Scripture gives clear, practical ways to protect our hearts from the love of money.
1️⃣ Cultivate Contentment
Contentment doesn’t happen naturally. It’s nurtured through:
- Daily gratitude
- Prayer
- Trusting God’s timing
- Remembering how He has provided before
- Choosing joy in what you already have
Contentment is spiritual armor. It guards the heart from greed.
2️⃣ Practice Generosity Regularly
Generosity breaks the grip of money.
When you give, you declare:
- God is my provider
- My hope is not in wealth
- My hands are open
- My focus is eternal
Generosity is stewardship in action.
3️⃣ Align Your Life with Eternal Values
Ask:
“What matters most in eternity?”
Then shape your:
- Budget
- Time
- Goals
- Commitments
- Lifestyle
around what will last forever.
4️⃣ Examine Your Heart Honestly
Try asking yourself:
- What do I fear losing: my savings or my Savior?
- Does money influence my obedience?
- Do my financial decisions reflect trust in God?
- Does my lifestyle reflect contentment or craving?
This isn’t about condemnation. It’s about clarity.
Conclusion: A Call to Worship, Stewardship, and Eternal Perspective
Money is a tool—a gift to manage for the glory of God. But when we love it more than the Giver, it becomes a danger to the soul.
The Bible warns us to protect us. God wants our hearts free, content, and anchored in Him. He wants our treasure in heaven, not buried in temporary pursuits.
As we begin this month’s theme on Stewardship and Heart Alignment, ask God to search your heart. Invite Him to shape your desires. Yield your resources to His leadership.
And trust this promise:
When God has your heart, He will guide your hands, lead your steps, and bless your life in ways money never can.
Key Takeaway
Money itself is not evil.
The danger lies in loving it more than God, which can lead to idolatry, discontent, spiritual drift, and misplaced priorities.
Guard your heart by cultivating contentment, practicing generosity, prioritizing eternal values, and regularly examining your desires. True security, joy, and freedom come from trusting God, not from accumulating wealth.
Call to Action (CTA)
Take a moment today to ask God where money may be competing for your affection.
Surrender your finances and your heart to His leadership.
Then take one step of generosity this week: give, serve, or invest your time and resources into something that lasts for eternity.
Reflection Questions / Practical Application
- What occupies my thoughts more—my money or my God?
- Where do I find security—my savings or my Savior?
- Does my lifestyle reflect contentment or constant craving?
- What meaningful way can I practice generosity this week?
- What steps can I take to align my priorities with God’s eternal values?
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Recommended Resource
Discover the joy and freedom of living generously. Randy Alcorn shows how storing up treasures in heaven transforms our hearts and finances today.
By Randy Alcorn
Alcorn invites you to partake in a revolution of radical generosity and freedom from materialism! This updated edition features new chapters, challenges for your stewardship, journaling sections, and answers to FAQs. Hardcover.
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