Who Is Mammon?

[Albert Finch]

The term "Mammon" predominantly signifies riches and wealth, but as Colin Brown, in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, points out, "Material wealth can be personified as a demonic power, Mammon" (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 2, ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids, MI: Regency Reference Library), 1986, p. 829). When our stewardship of wealth does not align with God's purpose and plan, we open ourselves to demonic activity.

Covetousness can lead us away from God and encourages us to trust in our material possessions. When we turn our trust from God to money, we place ourselves in submission to a new master. Jack Hayford, in Hayford's Bible Handbook, refers to Luke 16:13 in the following manner: "Jesus said that no one can serve two masters—God and money—at the same time, and makes Mammon a potential 'master'" (Hayford's Bible Handbook, ed. Jack W. Hayford (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), p. 962). When we attempt to serve both God and Mammon, instability and double-mindedness is produced within us. Mammon should be recognized as a god when it leads us into worship of material possessions.

Aspects of the Spirit of Mammon:

Mammon will attempt to have you manage your resources but remain in slavery.

Mammon will use you up and then convince you that you would be better off to die rather than press forward.

Mammon will seduce you into cursing your inheritance and convince you to activate curses against your portion and increase.

Mammon is deceptive and will lead you into presumption.

You will hear a voice that sounds like God, like light, or like good religion.

This voice will attempt to change your priority in giving.

This voice will attempt to convince you that there is no appeal to God in prayer—the only option is to give-in to your circumstance.