Holy Boldness

traditions, they judged people by appearances before they knew the heart of the matter, and therefore they often misjudged. Their judgment was found wanting by the Lord. Looking at the Pharisees one quickly discerns that having a zeal for certain traditions is no guarantee that one is walking in light. It actually may be an indication of the opposite.

God vs. Mammon

“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. (Mat 6:24) “Mammon” is an Aramaic term meaning wealth or treasure. But in this passage of scripture, Jesus personifies mammon and describes its influence as if it were an active force, something alive and in competition with God. I refer to it as the spirit of mammon to emphasize its power to seduce and influence people. The spirit of mammon likes to throw its weight around. Money may be neutral but mammon, as Jesus described it, competes with a person’s allegiance to God. God gives people authority and resources to accomplish His will. The spirit of mammon seeks to seduce people into thinking that the will of God cannot be accomplished without it. But God will not play second fiddle to anyone or anything. He decides what will be established and what will be uprooted. When people do not know how to submit to God and live for His favor, then they compromise with the powers that be to accomplish things. They give the place only God rightfully occupies to other influences. Mammon is a major competitor. Jesus was not against money. Money is simply the currency for the exchange of goods and services. However, the pursuit of money can easily become a trap for those who do not understand the priorities in God’s heart. Before God wants anything from His children in terms of accomplishment, He always seeks the heart. Without faith, it is impossi ble to please Him. Faith and obedience are the currency of the Kingdom, not mammon. Therefore, seeking to do the will of God on any particular day begins with being wholehearted and surrendered to Him. As a person steps into obedience, it opens the way into God’s perfect will. Obedience opens doors that money can never access. Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If the pursuit

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