If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Luke 16:11

Mathew 6:24-34; 2 Cor 9:10-13; Psalm 35: 27

The Adult life is preoccupied by money.  Averagely, people spend close to fifteen (15) hours every day, thinking and working for money.  Money is an incredible part of our lives. It consumes our thoughts, creates habits, dictates where we go, and shapes our future security and lifestyle.  Because of its intrusive and massive influence in our lives Jesus declares that it is a rival of God. Jesus viewed money or wealth as a spiritualpower (Matt. 6:24), identifying wealth as an object of worship, a rival to God. Interestingly, the Bible defines mammon as money. The word Mammon is a description of a wicked spirit that operates through and behind money. In the bible it stands for greed or material wealth, and in the middle Ages it was often personified as a deity, and sometimes included in the seven princes of Hell. The spirit of mammon causes people to bow down to money, worshiping it. People replace God with money by allowing it to rule every aspect of their lives.

For this reason, Jesus often asked people to turn away from it, use it properly, or master it. The best way to defeat the power of mammon is to give it away (Acts 20:35). 

For you to have a fulfilled life and one that brings significance in the world, proper mentalities about the use of money is critical. One has to have mentalities that break the spirit of mammon. How quickly you get to know these mentalities determines how fast you become fulfilled in your adult life. 

Before we deal with ways to manage the power of Mammon let us see the four Foundational truth on managing the material gain from God

1. Human beings are Responsible Stewards of God’s Creation (Gen. 2:15; Gen. 1:26-28)
   • Man is supposed to take care of the earth. He is supposed to take care of it and cultivate it
   • Through the capabilities of the Imago Dei (Image of God)
   • Man is supposed to have dominion, Subdue and be fruitful (Gen. 1:26-28)
   • As a responsible steward he must have vision for the Multiplication of His Masters assets (Mathew 
   • A Profitable steward is one who multiplies the Masters Talents
2. All blessings come from God and belong to God (including finances). 
   James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  
   
   Those who claim are owners of wealth are "rebels"
   
   Five Levels of Prosperity 
   • Spiritual Prosperity
   • Mental Prosperity 
   • Bodily Prosperity 
   • Financial Prosperity 
   • Relational Prosperity 
     Money is valuable because there are recipients on the other side.
3. All Blessings (troubles) come from God (Satan) through men to men
   Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (This is giving of anything)
   • You should be praying for God to move the right men to my life
4. Wealth and Abundance in this Kingdom is not an achievement but a trust from God. 
   Deut. 8:13-18. Money is a cleaner. It can wipe memories good and bad ones

How do you then break the Spirit of Mammon over Your life? Here are Five Principles

1. You Break the spirit of Mammon by a Life Style of Absolute Surrender to God
   • 2Co 8:5  says “. . . but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. It is easier to give to the work of the Lord when you give yourself first.
   • The Law of Absolute surrender Job 22:21-26; Prov. 23:26 (Heart). 2 Cor. 8:5
     When your heart belongs to him he can trust you with His treasures. Everyone has two options of who to serve: God or Mammon
     Pro 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. 
2. You Break the Spirit of Mammon when You use money (Materials) to Worship God
   • God owns everything and he is the rightful owner and possessor of all. He is the owner because he created everything. The earth and the fullness thereof, belong to the Lord; and they were created to bring pleasure, glory and honor to Him.
   • God desires to you to worship Him; and partner with him in saving nations and therefore he wants you to give to his cause. The following ways you can give as you break the spirit of mammon.
     • Tithes:  Ten percent of all your income. Tithing did not finish with Moses. Jesus recognized it. But he frowned on those who were zealous in giving tithes yet neglect the issues of justice, mercy and faithfulness (Mathew 23:23). 
     • Free Will Offerings: This is the giving out of love to the Lord. It is an opportunity to worship God.
     • Thanks giving offerings: Hannah who brought a bull 1 Sam. 1: 24; Luke 17:12
     • Sowing and Reaping.  (I will speak on this later) Luke 6:38; Gal. 6:7-10. 
     • Supporting Ministers of the gospel. Gal. 6:6
     • Giving Alms. Mathew 6:1-4
   • 2Co 8:5  says “. . . but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. It is easier to give to the work of the Lord when you give yourself first.
3. You Break the spirit of mammon when You adopt an abundance mentality
   • An abundance mentality is a mindset that says there is a lot of resources and opportunities for all of us in the world. 
   • Abundance mentality is a mindset of a rich soul and mind. This mentality says God is a good God and has set enough resources and opportunities to make the whole creation be fulfilled.
   • There is something for you in this world. Mathew 6: 25-27 gives the Birds of the air, and the Lilly of the valley. God takes care of them. He will do the same to you. 
4. You Break the spirit of mammon when you adopt a Liberal Mentality
   • A liberal mentality is a mindset of being free with what one owns. It is a mindset that recognizes God as the true owner and man as the steward of all this wealth.  
   • You should not be attached to material possessions; you manage these on behalf of God.  Remember your life does not consist in the abundance of things you possess.
5. You Break the spirit of mammon when you practice the sowing and reaping Mindset 
   • You master greediness through sowing into others and the work of God.
   • Know that your mentality of sowing, and the seed you sow is the tool that creates your future.
   • You only sow what you have! Stop complaining; look around and evaluate what you have and then with joy sow it to the Lord.
   • The Resource or ability you recognize to you as seed in your hand when it is sown with uncommon zeal and determination it creates uncommon results. 
   • Break the spirit of mammon as you sow your life, abilities and resources, then you will create a life of significance to your family, to those around you and to the world.

To counter Mammon, we must use both Power and Truth Encounter Strategies. First, we have to deliberately and powerfully pray against the spirit of Mammon that superintendents the vice of materialism. Fight that spirit through spiritual warfare. Second, contend against the spirit of Mammon by living by the Word of God. We fight by the Word of God that abides and works in us

Questions for Discussion

1. Give an example of a person who you think is trapped by the spirit of mammon
2. Among the above-mentioned ways of breaking the hold of Mammon, which one is difficult for you to practice?
3. Which Method of breaking the hold of mammon is a challenge to most Malawians?