KEY SCRIPTURE:1 Timothy 3:3 KJV” Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;’

The scripture instructs that the pastor should not be greedy for filthy lucre. This word filthy lucre refers to money. In Luke 16:11, the Lord Jesus called money unrighteous mammon. This does not mean money is filthy or unrighteous, but simply means money is carnal or physical. It is not spiritual. Everything physical is corruptible or destructible. It is its ability to be destroyed, or corruption can attack it, which is why God calls it unrighteous, filthy, or carnal. Secondly, the attitude of men towards its acquisition has  caused many to idolise  it to a point that it has led to so much sorrow (1st Tim 6:10).Remember that anything that takes God’s place in our lives becomes an idol, and every idol brings bondage to men. The pastor must therefore not be greedy for money. Some men in the pulpit are witchdoctors or fetish practitioners  in suits. The greed for money has led them into all kinds of places seeking power to be rich. In their private chambers,  they  put on their proper fetish regalia to perform the rituals before changing into a normal pastoral suit. Please, there are a great number of genuine men of God who have not soiled their garments in any way.

Greed for money is always a trap of the enemy. The Lord has promised that His children must seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and everything shall be added unto it. It is his major plan to always reward His servants very handsomely. Mark 10:30. KJV “But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” If one lets greed take over their heart, then this blessing can not be possible. Instead, that man or woman would be cursed with all kinds of evil. Just remember Gehazi, the servant of Elisha. Greed brought the leprosy  of Naaman on him 2Ki 5:27 KJV “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.”

Why does greed for money set in the life of a man who started genuinely?
1 Financial difficulties at home can trigger that
2 Seeing the affluence of other men of God can lead to greed
3 Bad friends can convince one into it.
4 Social pressures can drive one into greed

How can one stay out of it?
1 . Make Matt 6:33 your lifetime scripture. It is always God first, and His righteous ways, and then other things would fall in place.

2 Have the understanding that serving God is not about you, your comfort, or how the world sees and thinks of you. It is about how faithful you stand before God. Is God happy about your service? If he is happy, then that should also make you happy. Know for certain that God pays better than any man. Be faithful.

3 Know the Lord for yourself. A deep and true knowledge of God would make you keep faith with Him even when everything seems to be bad.
4. Feed much on the word, for faith is that virtue that would keep you hooked up to God. By faith, you would overcome every arrow or fiery darts that are cast at you.

THOUGHT:GREED FOR MONEY RATHER BLOCKS GOD’S TRUE RICHES FROM GETTING TO YOU

FURTHER STUDIES

: 1 Timothy:6
[10] Loving money is the first step toward all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives!

1 Peter:5
[2] to be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership—not as a way to gain finances dishonestly but as a way to eagerly and cheerfully serve.