In our English Bible, we come across the depiction, “greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Tim 3:3, 8; cf. Tit 1:7, 11; 1 Pet 5:2). What does it mean? It translates the Greek New Testament word aischrokerdḗs, a compound word made up of two words – aischrós (which means indecent, dishonourable, etc.) and kérdos, (which means “gain”). Thus, it depicts those who are shamefully greedy for material gain or profit. Such persons who value material possessions and physical comfort and pleasure as more important than spiritual principles and purposes are referred to as “materialists”.
Materialists are not just among the rich; even among the poor, there are many lovers of wealth. It is important to emphasise that greed and its ills are not found only among wealthy people. Even among the poor, there are lovers of wealth who are driven by the impulses of envy and greed. There are those among the poor who idolise the rich and famous, and constantly dream about the acquisition of wealth. Some, even though living with little income, take pride in the ostentatious display of material things they obtain. The “love of money” does affect both rich and poor. Ordinary folks are not exempt from the biblical warnings against materialism.
Scripture also warns us against money-lovers found amongst the congregation of God’s people. Its warning is that greedy men would masquerade themselves as pious and compassionate. This sort of people will be found even in the church leadership. Jesus called such greedy men in the spiritual leadership of His people, “thieves and robbers” (John 10:8, cf. v.1)! The prophet Isaiah wrote censoriously about greedy men who infiltrated Israel’s leadership, decrying, “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter” (Isaiah 56:11).
Have you wondered why the word “filthy” is attached to the biblical depiction of those who are greedy for money or gain – “filthy lucre”? Scripture asserts that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). The love of money has caused people to commit all kinds of sins. Lovers of money pervert justice for personal gain and indulge in cheating, stealing, extortion of the poor, murder, and all kinds of shameful and heinous activities. They pursue all forms of evil in order to satisfy self-gratification. They are selfish men. Like the wealthy man in the Lord’s story who ignored the sick beggar, Lazarus, at his gate (cf. Luke 16:19-31), materialistic persons ignore the destitute and the needy to secure their wealth to themselves. They are selfish and self-serving, in that they refuse to be kind-hearted and generous towards the poor and the Lord’s work.
More of their degrading behaviour is mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:9 – “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” This caution is not merely about the rich, but “they that will be rich”. In other words, those who want to get rich, those who cling on to their wealth, and those who multiply their money just so to become richer than before, are all prone to engage in “many foolish and hurtful lusts”. People who love riches are always subject to strong temptations and will be led into snares of hurtful lusts. Their insatiable desire for wealth produces in them obsessive and compulsive behaviour of evil passions.
The availability of an abundance of wealth makes many people snobbish and rude. Their conspicuous consumption and ostentatious display of material goods and wealth are often paired with an elitist mentality and vainglory. Hence, the Scripture’s insistence: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded” (1 Timothy 6:17a). The word “highminded” translates the Greek compound verb hupsōlophroneo, which means “to think lofty”, “be haughty”, or “have an exalted opinion of oneself”.
The temptation to put on airs of superiority is constantly part of the wealthy’s demeanour. Thinking highly of themselves causes the rich people to look down on those in the lower economic strata. This is a common evil in every human society. Despising the poor is a disgusting tendency of human nature. Proverbs 22:7 declares, “The rich ruleth over the poor”. Likewise, Proverbs 18:23 laments, “The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.” The wealthier an individual is, the greater the temptation to be self-exalting. This is because, as Proverbs 28:11 says, “The rich man is wise in his own conceit”. It is extremely difficult for a wealthy person to be humble and submissive before a poor person. The temptation is to view the poorer people as repulsive. Riches and pride are frequently found together!
The materialist’s pride in his wealth is so insidious that he even resists and disregards divine authority and supremacy. Such is the depiction of the materialist in Psalm 52:7, “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” The lover of money who puts his confidence in wealth will disdain God’s perfect wisdom and power. He adores and seeks after money more than God. Thus, he becomes an idolater. The Bible warns us that covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Greed – a desire to have more and more wealth – disregards the necessity of righteousness, truth, God’s will and glory. It opposes the pursuit of godliness. Even though the materialist does not possess a brass statue or idol, he is an idolater because he pursues wealth at the expense of godly worship and service. A materialistic individual may manifest some form of godliness, but without the power thereof (cf. 2 Tim. 3:5)!
The Bible warns God’s people that it is foolish and ruinous to trust and pursue riches at the expense of God’s truth and purposes. It admonishes them not to “trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17b). Wealth tends to generate a false sense of security. Nevertheless, Proverbs 11:28a warns, “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall”. Proverbs 23:4–5 further adds, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
Pursuing wealth by neglecting the counsels of God’s Word would only result in sorrow and shame. Even when God blesses us with more wealth, we must not put our hopes on it – “if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10b). Pursuit of wealth will mislead and even apostatised the hearts of man. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10).
The awful tragedy of the materialists is that they are unsaved. Jesus lamented the sorrowful departure of the rich man who came to Him for eternal life – “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! … Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mk 10:23-24). Those who love and trust in material wealth would deny the Lord’s goodness, truth and authority, just as that rich young man who was sad at His words which demanded him to give up his wealth and follow Him (cf. Matt. 19:17-22). The Bible warns us about the utter uselessness of money in securing and guaranteeing eternal life. “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Ps. 49:6-7).
Dear brethren, do not be caught up in the modern world’s unhinged materialism. Modern-day Christians are in great danger of being seduced by the world’s lie that happiness will be found in more things, bigger things, and better things. Regrettably, many professing Christians have fallen prey to this false philosophy of the world.