The Wisdom of Joy Over Money and Possessions
The love of money is common; but the Bible warns people that pursuing money and material possessions only escalates into insatiable idolatry. The problem with any form of idolatry is that God will frustrate the idol worshiper. The idol will not deliver on promises; and who knows what will be lost in the process.
The inspiration behind idolatry is demonic. Every person lives life as a test in the manner of Adam and Eve. God reveals Himself in creation. The general knowledge of God positions every person responsible before Him (Rom 1:18–32). Demons are given the work to tempt people to sin. Demons are more powerful and far cleverer than men.
God has told man how to live (Law of God); and the demons follow the example of the adversary of all men, Satan. It is his work to lead the rebellion against God. As the usurping ruler of this world (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), the devil markets the pleasures of the physical realm as the ticket to happiness. More money, more power, more sex, more food, and more possessions — amongst other promotions — are all but guaranteed by the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2).
The results are quite different from the promises advertised by hell’s marketing department. People who pursue the pleasure promised by the idol being worshiped are often caught in addiction. The whole created order holds the potential for an unbalanced pursuit. Conscious of these threats, some will spend more money to employ a psychologist or a life coach to guide them through the gauntlet of performance and coping.
Trust is a big issue. People place their trust in their idol for happiness. Happiness begins with security. Feeling safe in an uncertain world is a powerful allure. This is why money and material possessions are common pursuits. Despite the testimony of the Holy Bible and the overwhelming evidence provided by unhappy wealthy people, a new generation is born to make the same error.
When God promises to turn the reprobate over to his pursuit of sin (Rom 1:18–32), He teaches the sinner that there are indeed consequences to idolatry. You cannot serve God and mammon (Mt 6:24). It becomes a love/hate relationship. God will not permit those He loves to be idolaters. He will hinder His beloved in various ways. This, of course, is good, but our Father’s discipline may also sting a bit (Heb 12:4–11). The grace of repentance simply means that God, who is omnipotent, will turn the mind and the affections of His chosen people toward Him.
Sin is the old boss residing in the flesh (Rom 5:21; 6:6, 12). The flesh, therefore, wars against the indwelling Spirit in the Christian (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 5:17; 1 Pet 2:11). Because the child of God has the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), he or she knows the truth about sin’s deception. The temptation of the flesh by demons is there until the end of this life in one’s body of sin; but hatred for sin now prevails in those who walk by the Spirit and who eagerly wait for Christ’s return (Gal 5:16, 25; Heb 9:28). Sin is a perpetual liar when it comes to the pursuit of happiness. You sow sin; and you get destruction and then death (Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27).
The alternative to happiness is joy. Joy is a spiritual fruit product of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). Only God can give joy, which includes, contentment, regardless of one’s situation. When one’s pursuit is the Giver, rather than the gift, then the mystery is solved. A man must love the Lord his God with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mt 22:37). The world knows the Christan by his love because it originates with God (Jn 13:34–35; 1 Jn 4:19). The saints are not to love the world nor the things of the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). Divine discipline may include the removal of a particular idol in the Christians possession. One’s response to the loss or theft of an idol is telling.
Thus, the key indicator of one’s satisfaction in God is the joy this pursuit produces (Gal 5:22). A miserable Christian is suffering from hypocrisy. The double-minded man is confused about his allegiance. A simple check of one’s pursuits should diagnose the problem. You cannot serve God and an idol. Hint: ditch the idol!
The remedy is spiritual, not material. First, a return to joy begins with fixing one’s eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2). The lust of the eyes is a problem starter (1 Jn 2:16). The means of grace helps us do this refocus through prayer, church attendance, the sacraments, and time in the Bible.
Second, praying for this focus on Christ is both a means and an end. We get what we are asking for when the Word is on the lips. God is the giver of good gifts (Jas 1:17); and there is none better than the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth…truth that sets us free from bondage to sin/idols (Jn 8:32; 16:13).
Third, praying for kingdom employment also leads to God occupying one’s time. If we are busy serving the Lord, it leaves little or no time for idolatrous alternatives. There is a promise that if God’s chosen people will seek first His kingdom, then He will add everything to them for life and for ministry (Mt 6:33). Simply put, there is no lack for those who pursue Christ and His interests, because He alone is a benevolent Master.
Joy is the meter by which one knows he or she is finding contentment in Christ alone. This is accompanied by one’s expressed gratitude to the Giver of every good (material) and every perfect gift (spiritual). In this, the believer in Jesus gives no thought about tomorrow; rather, each day is a fresh experience provided to each one who is walking by the Spirit, walking in faith (2 Cor 5:7).
The child of God trusts in our heavenly Father, who truly cares for us (1 Pet 5:7). Our present life in this fallen material world should be one of joy in the hope of eternal life in the world to come. Thus, we see the wisdom for living this vaporous existence in vital union with the Giver of life (Jn 6:63; Jas 4:14).
My dear reader, may God deliver you daily from the traps and snares of this world of idols and idolaters, who are doomed to despair in outer darkness. May God cause you to walk in the light of His Son (Jn 1:5; 8:12), who is the way to joy and our joy Himself.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 20, 2025
