The Blessed Life: The Spirit of Mammon

Luke 16:9-15 – mammon is mentioned four times in the scriptures. Three of them are in this passage and one is mentioned in Matthew 6.

What is Mammon?

• Mammon is aramaic for riches and was the Syrian god of riches.
• Babylon (meaning sown in confusion) is a symbol of the world.
• It says, you don’t need God, you need money.
• This is not about money, but the spirit that rests on it.
• That is why the tithe is critical because you redeem it! Money with the spirit of God can’t be touched by the devourer.
• Mammon promises you everything and gives you nothing.
• Mammon promises you security, significance, freedom, power, peace, independence. Truth is, you can only get this from God.
• Many believers despise God over the area of finances. If you despise one it’s because you have been loyal to the other – you can not serve both God and mammon.
• Mammon is the spirit of the antichrist. The antichrist rules through the threat of not being able to buy and sell. That is what mammon says.
• We think that we either “need God to come through for us” or ” we need someone to give us money.”
• Jesus never said that the answer to a problem was money.
• Mammon says that if you had more money you could help more people.
• Mammon is the spirit of this world.

Is Money Evil?

• No, money is neutral. The service of, the love of money is the root of evil.
• Luke 16:9 says take the money and submit it to God … and they will welcome you into the kingdom of heaven! Use the money for good things.
• Vs 11 – If you have not been faithful with your money, you will not be given true riches! True riches are people. Why would I give responsibility to people who can’t handle money?

What Should I Do with Money?

• Be a good steward of it. God is looking for good stewards!
• There’s no limit to how much God will bless a good steward.
• Vs 10 – The little I have is a test. If I am faithful in it, He will give me more!
• Many people complain that the rich get richer. The kingdom principle is that the good stewards get more.
• Vs 12 – God owns it all. If you have not been faithful with what’s not yours… why would you expect more?
• It all comes down to two things – Be a good steward and give generously.
• We have to get to the place where we give to the kingdom… we don’t do this for our own gain.