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  PHARISEES LOVE MONEY
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: The love of money is a clear mark of a Pharisee, and godly
people use material things to bless others, not to love them.

Topics: "Material Wealth", "Godly Stewardship"
Scripture References: Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13-14, Acts 20:35, 1 Timothy 6:10

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen delves into the surprising truth that the Pharisees, known
for their strict adherence to religious rules, were actually lovers of
money. He highlights how loving money is a clear mark of a Pharisee,
emphasizing Jesus' warning that one cannot love both God and material
wealth. Poonen challenges believers to use material wealth as a servant
rather than falling into the trap of loving it, which leads to a
Pharisaical mindset. He contrasts the worldly mindset of loving things
and using people with the godly mindset of loving people and using
material blessings to serve and bless others, reflecting the way Jesus
lived.

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CONTENT
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"The Pharisees were lovers of money" (Luke 16:14).

When we think of the Pharisees, we don't usually associate the love of
money with them. But in actual fact this is one of the clearest marks of
a Pharisee. Even if you do not have any of the other 49 characteristics
of a Pharisee, but have just this one, you are still a Pharisee.
Pharisees will nit-pick about small rules in the Law, but when it comes
to money they love it immensely. Jesus had just said (in Luke 16:13)
"You cannot love God and Mammon (material wealth)". The Pharisees
scoffed at that statement (verse 14), because they were lovers of money
and felt that they loved God too. A believer can use material wealth as
his servant (any amount of it) but the moment he begins to love it, he
becomes a Pharisee.

God gave us material things to use and people to love. The devil has
succeeded in reversing that in the human race and as a result people
love material things and use people (for their own advantage). Jesus
came to turn us right side up - so that we can love people and use
material things (to bless people). Godly people deny themselves many
material things so that they can bless people with those things. That's
how Jesus lived.

Many preachers who are sticklers for little rules that they impose on
others are themselves great lovers of money. They even neglect their
responsibilities in the church in order to make more money for
themselves - because they are Pharisees and their minds are always on
money.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/pharisees-love-money/
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