HIDDEN GREEDINESS FOR WEALTH IN THE MINISTRY

by Nick Bibile

The enemy is extremely cunning as he knows the vulnerability of the fallen nature of man, and those who are weak when it comes to money, will put a golden hook to trap them.

What is the bait of Satan? It’s the word, ‘ministry or church’ and these workers of Christ will be smooth talkers.

Romans 16:18

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

They will lust after sex, money and power. “Greedy pastors use others for personal gain—and sexual abuse is an especially horrendous form of greed. Abusers care about their satisfaction above all. They are like leeches who take and take and don’t care who’s hurt, so long as their needs are met” (Garrett Kell)

Let’s take some examples from the Bible how some became greedy for wealth.

Gehazi – when Elisha refused a gift from Naaman the Syrian for healing his leprosy, Elisha’s servant took the opportunity to run after Naaman and asked for a gift. Elisha rebuked his servant Gehazi and Naaman’s leprosy went to Gehazi as God punished him for his greediness.

2 Kings 5:20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

Judah’s Iscariot – became exceedingly greedy for money as he betrayed our Lord. By the way, he heard all our Lord’s sermons and saw all the miracles and healings.

Ananias and Sapphira – Acts chapter 5 they lied to Peter and the church of the land money and God killed both husband and wife in front of the church believers.

Acts 5:4…..  You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.

Demas

2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Danger of love of money

2 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

You cannot serve God and Money

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Losing your soul because of greediness for money

Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?