What other scriptures warn against the love of money and its consequences? Luke 18:23—The Heart Tested by Wealth “But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.” New Testament Warnings • 1 Timothy 6:9–10 – “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” • Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’” • Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” • Mark 4:19 – “But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” • James 5:1–3 – “Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you… Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you…” • Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death… greed, which is idolatry.” • Ephesians 5:5 – “No… greedy person—that is, an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” • Revelation 3:17 – “You say, ‘I am rich…’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Old Testament Echoes • Proverbs 11:28 – “He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.” • Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money is never satisfied by money…” • Proverbs 15:27 – “He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household…” • Proverbs 23:4–5 – “Do not wear yourself out to get rich… wealth… will surely sprout wings and fly off…” • Proverbs 28:22 – “A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.” • Habakkuk 2:9–11 – “Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain… The stones will cry out…” Consequences of Loving Money • Spiritual ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9). • Idolatry that cuts off inheritance in God’s kingdom (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). • Wandering from the faith and piercing oneself with sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10). • Fruitlessness in the Word (Mark 4:19). • Public shame and judgment when riches corrode (James 5:1–3). • Family turmoil and personal trouble (Proverbs 15:27). • Ultimate poverty—even if riches seem secure now (Proverbs 28:22). • Self-deception about one’s true condition before God (Revelation 3:17). Living the Alternative • Choose contentment, trusting God’s faithful presence (Hebrews 13:5). • Serve one Master—store treasures in heaven rather than earth (Matthew 6:24; 6:19-21). • Practice generosity; “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). • Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness; material needs will follow (Matthew 6:33). |
    |