God speaks of money and possession more than 2,000 times in Scripture? Jesus said more about money and possessions than any other single subject. Why? Because when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is a man’s index and reflection of his true character-what he loves, what he worships, what he finds his greatest treasure and pleasure in.

All through scripture there is a direct correlation between a man’s heart and character and his money and possessions. Since God made man to show of His character, it’s no wonder that God wants our heart and character to match His generous heart and character.

One of the famous stories of Jesus interacting with a man and his possessions was the story of the rich young ruler found in Luke 18. Why did the man go away so grieved? Because Jesus went after his false god, his pseudo-savior, to prove to him that he really didn’t love God as much as he claimed. He kept all the Law since he was just a kid, but when it came to his possessions he was unwilling to part with his functional messiah. Jesus went after this idol and called him to give his possessions away or those possessions would one day give him away to destruction. But the young man only left sad instead of heart-broken and repentant. He couldn’t leave his god of money and possessions which he worshipped with his whole heart. He missed the beauty and truth that Jesus came so that he might be free from the slavery of this false-lover of his soul.

You see, the thing about money, unlike any other idol, is that it has the ability to purchase all other idols-comfort, pleasure, approval, power, control, influence, and security. Money is the arch-idol above all idols. This is why it is so hard for us to let it go. It is a powerful and relentless idol. It digs its hooks in deep and does not want to relinquish its privileged position. This is why Jesus confronts issues of money so frequently, and why he dares to say you can not serve two Gods, you will either serve the true God or you will serve money, but you can’t have both.