The Greatest Enemy of Godliness (Santosh Poonen)

Paul offers this final caution to Timothy as he closes his first letter to him — beware of riches! The greatest enemy of godliness is wealth! When Jesus returns in glory He will separate the world into: goats — those who loved Mammon and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves on this earth; sheep — those who loved God and spent their lives acquiring riches for themselves in heaven by doing good to others (Matthew 25:31-46, I Timothy 6:18-19). The love of money will turn your zeal for God into legalism. The Pharisees were an example of this (Luke 16:14). The love of money will turn you from being a co-worker with God to a deserter. Demas is an example of this (II Timothy 4:10). The love of money will turn your church with all its revelation on spiritual truths, ministries, perseverance, discernment, etc., into one from which Jesus removes His light. The church in Ephesus is an example of this (Ephesians, Revelation 2:2,5). The only people about whom Jesus said it is very hard for them to enter the kingdom of God is the rich! A rich man: fixes his hope on riches which are uncertain; is proud, arrogant, and contemptuous of others; lives for this present” world, acquiring things for himself, praying “my kingdom come, my will be done”; lives a life that leads to death (Luke 12:13-21); (I Timothy 6:17-18). A man rich toward God: fixes hope on God, Who is certain; is rich in good deeds toward others; lives for the world to come; lives a life that leads to life indeed (I Timothy 6:18-19). The richest person in heaven is the one who obeyed the Father the most in doing good and being generous (I Timothy 6:18-19). If there is a lack of blessedness and joy in your life, it’s because you still like to get things more than you like to give (Acts 20:35). If you claim to be born again but continue to willfully live with Self as the center of your “universe”, rather than Christ, then you are deceiving yourself! Jesus is building His Church today out of disciples who can say, like He did, “The Prince of this world is coming and He has nothing in Me” (John 14:30) Jesus is not looking for rich businessmen who will go into partnership with Him, but for disciples who have forsaken all to follow Him. Your love for God will grow cold when your love for His opposite (Mammon) grows hotter!