Wealth: The Mammon of Unrighteousness?

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9).

Root of All Evil & Unrighteousness

Many people think the bible says, money is the root of all evil. It doesn’t say that, but it does very definitely warn us against the perils of loving money, chasing after riches, and making any material possession our heart’s treasure. The love of money is the root of all evil; it leads to all (only) evil. Thayer Bible Dictionary defines mammon as “treasure” and “riches (where it is personified and opposed to God).” I think that word “treasure” is the key because the bible says where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. If your heart is with your money, riches, or possessions, that’s not right- in fact, it’s unrighteous. Some people equate having money as being somebody; and not having it, as being a nobody; and that’s unrighteous, too.

Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary says, “It is the wisdom of the men of this world so to manage their money as that they may have the benefit of it hereafter, and not for the present only; therefore they put it out to interest, buy land with it, put it into this or the other fund. Now we should learn of them to make use of our money so as that we many be the better for it hereafter in another world as they do in hopes to be the better for it hereafter in this world; so cast it upon the 

waters as that we may find it again after many days, (Eccl xi.1).”

How to Apply in Everyday Life

I love that excerpt from Matthew Henry. On the surface, when Jesus says, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, it almost sounds like he is telling us to do what the world does. But He’s not. He is simply telling us not to despise this world’s resources, but to use them for the glory of God and for the good of others. Money, wealth, possessions; if gained by right means, can be like a friend or partner in doing good. They have no inherent evil nature- though they tend to draw those traits out of some. But they are not evil in themselves and can be used to advance kingdom work by funding missions, evangelism, building churches, grants for seminary, etc. They can be used for the good of others by funding charities, and personally helping those who are homeless, orphaned, widowed, single parenting, etc.

 How to Think About it

When we die (when our bodies “fail”), regardless as to how much we’ve given (how charitable we’ve been) and how well we have stewarded our resources, that will not ensure our everlasting habitation in the kingdom of heaven. We can’t buy eternal life; it is a gift of God. That doesn’t mean how we live doesn’t matter. How we live, what we prioritize, how we use our resources; and with Whom our heart and treasure reside, all matter. They are the evidence that our hearts and treasure are not bound to this world but are bound up in Jesus Christ. And where He abides, so do you.

Conclusion

Use your world’s resources in ways that bring honor and glory to our great God.