5. The Love of Money. Those who love money wouldn’t part with it for anything—not even for esteem. Their lives are characterized by hoarding and abasement. They may have accumulated thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions, but the loss of even a few dollars is traumatic. They become embittered, nervous, frustrated, and angry when others invade their financial domain. This is a form of idol worship, just as surely as worshiping pagan images of clay or metal. That attitude characterizes Greg Greed. Greg has hoarded money for years. Its is difficult to say exactly when it began, probably in childhood. Everybody knows and dislikes Greg; many fear him. It is said that Greg would cheat his brother if there were a profit in it. Unfortunately, Greg doesn’t see himself that way. He believes those are all shrewd business deals. After all, everybody has to look out for himself. Greg’s life is one big emotional roller coaster. If his business and investments are doing well, he is happy around the home and office. But if his investments drop even a little bit, he is mean, irritable, and even hostile. Greg’s total downfall is due when a real economic reversal occurs. Then he will be a statistic in the paper, either a mental breakdown or a suicide. Unfortunately, many Christians cling to every material possession they can. Someone trapped by the love of money would let his family do without rather than part with his most precious possession. We are reminded in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.” In Hebrews 13:5 we are told, “Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” The love of money separates us from God. What foolishness it is for a Christian to fall into his trap. “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25).

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