No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24).
Both Matthew and Luke tell the story of the tempting of Jesus by the devil. For the last temptation, the devil took Jesus to the peak of a mountain and showed him the kingdoms of the world. "I will give it all to you" he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Satan was doing everything in his power to turn Jesus' heart away from his Father, just as he did with Adam and Eve.
Jesus knew what was at stake and declared, "You must worship the Lord your God and serve him only".
This is an important truth for us, because Satan hits you and me with the same temptations. Often he sets the trap with money and he tries to make you believe that money will make you happy and successful, and the more you have, the happier you will be.
Satan doesn't care if you are happy and successful. He wants your heart, just like he wanted Jesus's. He wants it so that he can plunge you "into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9).
When the world tempts you with money, remember it's a matter of the heart. As Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money."
Remember Jesus came that you might have life and have it abundantly. So, trust him to "direct your heart to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Then you will be able to keep money in its proper perspective.
In Him,
Bob Christopher