Pharisees Love Money
The love of money is a clear mark of a Pharisee, and godly people use material things to bless others, not to love them.
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.
Text
"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.
Sermon Outline
- The Love of Money is a Mark of a Pharisee
- The Pharisees' Love of Money is Contrary to God's Will
- Godly People Use Material Things to Bless Others
- Pharisees Neglect Their Responsibilities for Money
- The Pharisees were lovers of money (Luke 16:14)
- Even one characteristic is enough to be a Pharisee
- Jesus said you cannot love God and Mammon (Luke 16:13)
- The Pharisees scoffed at Jesus' statement (Luke 16:14)
- God gave us material things to use and people to love
- Jesus came to turn us right side up
- Many preachers are sticklers for little rules to make money
- They neglect their responsibilities in the church for personal gain
Key Quotes
“You cannot love God and Mammon (material wealth)” — Zac Poonen
“The Pharisees were lovers of money” — Zac Poonen
“God gave us material things to use and people to love” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We should use material wealth as a servant to bless others, not as something to be loved.
- We should prioritize loving people over loving material things.
- We should examine our own hearts to see if we are Pharisees who love money and neglect our responsibilities.