Fastest growing religion? Who is the best person to answer this question? The only, and the best answer ever given to this question came from Jesus Himself.

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 (money). (Matthew 6:24)

The options before us to choose in this life is either to love God or love money.

Jesus made it clear, the only way to Heaven is through Him alone. There isn't another way.

The fastest growing religion is the love of money

What are some of the dangers of this fastest growing religion, the love of money?

Love is a powerful emotion. Give it purpose and a lot can be achieved in this earth. There is Godly Love which comes from Heaven and then there is love that is worldly, manipulated by Satan.

Satan promises the world if people worship him. Many have conquered the world only to lose their soul.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)

God has kept Heaven for all those who live Godly.

I want to highlight three ways money influenced people in the Bible.

Lust for Power: Simon, the sorcerer

Simon (Acts 8:9-24) had believed and taken water baptism, after witnessing Philip the evangelist win souls and deliver people in Jesus name. Simon’s fascination of the wonders of God manifesting before him encouraged him to hang about with Philip.

Prior to his conversion, Simon was in the business of witchcraft and magic. The people in Samaria were fooled into believing he was from God, till they heard Philip preach Christ, the resurrection and life.

When Peter came to Samaria and prayed over the believers to receive the Holy Ghost; Simon, watching Peter lay hands and believers receiving the Holy Spirit, desired the gift of God. He offered money to Peter. Peter rebuked Simon for thinking he could purchase the gift of God with perishable money. Simon still loved money more than God. His belief on God was intellectual and therefore lacked the necessary strength to overcome the lust for power in his heart, which he enjoyed wrongfully earlier.

His earlier life of lies and deception (old man) led him to believe that money could help him get anything in life.

Greed: Ananias and Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira had promised Peter that they would sell a piece of property and donate the entire money for ministry (Acts 5:1-11). What did they do instead? They kept back a portion of the money. What happened? Both Ananias and Sapphira lied about it and fell dead on the spot, in front of Peter. Why? They had gone against God and refused to admit the truth of their deceitful actions.

This incident is quite terrifying, and also reveals the purity expected from all believers. Let's not try to cheat God, it will never work. May God keep us holy and pure as we surrender ourselves to Him daily.

Lies: Religious Jews

Jesus arose from the dead on the third day, and the news began to spread. What happened?

While they were on their way, some of the [Roman] guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. And when the chief priests had gathered with the elders and had consulted together [to develop a plan of deception], they gave a sufficient sum of money [as a bribe] to the soldiers, and said, “You say this, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ ¹⁴ And if the governor (Pilate) hears about it, we will calm him down and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money [they were paid for lying] and did as they were instructed; and this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day. Matthew 28:11-15

The religious people of that time tried to cover the truth by bribing the soldiers with money. They also encouraged the soldiers to lie about it. Religion can never save anyone. Only the truth can!

We are living in a time where money can change everything you value or believe in. Only those who live according to the truth of the Word of God (Bible) can overcome the love of money. The love of money is a snare for all those who think they can handle it. Be warned, stay content with what you have and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything and more, we need for this life, will be provided by God.