The word “mammon” appears four times in the Bible, all in the New Testament. It is a transliteration of the Aramaic word mamon meaning “wealth”, “money”, or “possessions”. In the King James Version, it is spelled “mammon” while other translations spell it “mamon.”
The first mention of mammon is in Matthew 6:24 during Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he says “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Here Jesus contrasts serving God with serving money and possessions. The implication is that one cannot be devoted to both – a person will love and serve one while hating and despising the other.
In the parallel passage in Luke 16:9-13, Jesus elaborates further: “And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Here Jesus seems to acknowledge that his followers will possess earthly wealth (“mammon of unrighteousness”) but encourages them to use it wisely for eternal purposes. He equates faithfulness with money to faithfulness with “true riches”, implying one is merely a steward of God’s resources. The passage also reiterates the prior point about divided loyalty.
The third mention comes in Matthew 6:24 when Jesus sends out his twelve disciples with these instructions: “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” The implication is that the disciples should not be preoccupied with earthly wealth as they go out to spread the gospel.
The fourth and final mention is in Luke 16:11. Jesus says, “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Once again associating proper use of money and possessions with faithfulness.
While mammon simply means money or possessions, the broader context shows Jesus saw a dangerous spiritual dynamic associated with wealth. On several occasions Jesus warned about the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14) and the difficulty of the rich entering heaven (Matthew 19:23, Mark 10:23, Luke 18:24). In the parable of the sower, being unfruitful due to the “deceitfulness of riches” is contrasted with good soil that hears God’s word and produces fruit (Matthew 13:3-23).
Based on Jesus’ teachings, mammon should be viewed skeptically by his followers. Wealth can compete with God for a person’s affections and loyalty. It can be deceitful, choking out spiritual life. But Jesus also acknowledges his disciples will possess earthly wealth and instructs them to use it faithfully for eternal rewards. So mammon is morally neutral but dangerous. It should be handled carefully and not hoarded selfishly but used for others and the advancement of the gospel.
The apostle Paul echoes many of these warnings about wealth. He associates those who want to get rich with falling into temptation, foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9). He writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” And he charges Timothy to tell the rich “not to be haughty” or “to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God” (1 Timothy 6:17). Yet Paul acknowledges that God provides resources for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:7) and even enables people to become rich through living generously and sharing (2 Corinthians 9:8-11).
The book of James has the harshest assessment of the wealthy among New Testament writings. Like Jesus, James links the pursuit and possession of wealth to spiritual deadness. He warns the rich that their wealth is corroding and their hoarded possessions testify against them (James 5:1-3). James condemns the rich for defrauding laborers, living luxuriously, and self-indulgence (James 5:4-6). But his warnings are centered on those trusting in their wealth over God and using it selfishly rather than generously (James 1:9-11, James 2:1-7).
The biblical view of mammon is far more nuanced than a simple condemnation of money or wealth. Wealth itself is portrayed as morally neutral. The dangers stem from making it a substitute for God and trusting in it rather than Him. Wealth also tempts people toward greed, self-indulgence, and exploiting others. But mammon can also be used generously for the glory of God and the good of others.
How should Christians view mammon today? Pastor John Piper offers a balanced perspective. He writes: “The Bible does not forbid the possession of money. What it forbids decisively is the possession of money that diverts our affections from Christ, or that we fail to share freely with others. The Bible does not forbid the possession of houses and fields. But it does forbid owning houses while there are people without decent lodging. It does not forbid the possession of tools, but it does forbid keeping tools unnecessarily when someone near us needs them.”
Based on the full counsel of Scripture, Christians should avoid both the idolization and demonization of money. Wealth is dangerous when accumulated and hoarded out of greed or status seeking. But generously invested and shared to meet needs and advance the gospel, it can be used for great kingdom impact.
Christians must also guard their hearts against “the deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:19) – the tendency for wealth to displace God in our affections and priorities. Do we feel secure in our money more than ourrelationship with God? Are we dependent on our possessions or His provision? Is advancing our kingdom or His our primary motivation? Asking these questions can reveal where mammon may be competing with devotion to God.
The early church provides a positive example in regard to mammon. Acts 2:44-45 describes the Jerusalem church as having “all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Here mammon was generously shared to meet needs and expand the church’s outreach. In Acts 4:32 it says “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” Mammon was not hoarded but freely invested in ministry.
In our materialistic culture, Christians must be intentional in using mammon to glorify God and serve others rather than themselves. We may not sell everything and live communally, but we should avoid greed and utilize a generous portion of income to invest in ministries that expand God’s kingdom. Downsizing affluent lifestyles can enable giving more away. Earning wealth ethically and generously sharing it reflects proper biblical stewardship of mammon. While remaining spiritually anchored in Christ rather than possessions.
In summary, the Bible teaches the following about mammon:
- Wealth can compete with loyalty and devotion to God (Matthew 6:24).
- Mammon is dangerous – it tempts people toward greed, self-indulgence, and exploiting others (1 Timothy 6:9-10, James 5:1-6).
- But it is morally neutral and can be used for righteousness when shared generously (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, Acts 2:44-45).
- Christians should avoid idolizing mammon but also viewing it too negatively (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
- Mammon must not displace God in our hearts and priorities (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19).
- While avoiding greed we should invest wealth generously to meet needs and expand God’s kingdom (Acts 4:32).
Handling mammon is an important part of faithful Christian discipleship. By utilizing wealth for eternal impact while remaining anchored in God rather than possessions, Christians can use mammon to glorify Christ and serve others.
That is a biblical overview of the topic of mammon – what it is and how Scripture instructs us to view money and earthly wealth. The key is an eternal perspective and using such resources to love God and serve others rather than self. When handled this way, mammon can be redeemed for spiritual good rather than material idolatry.
