Love for Gods/Wealth

The Lord Jesus was a master in using words with double meanings. For example, in his discussion with Nicodemus, he used the adverb άνωθεν (anothen), which meant “again” and “above” (John 3:3). Nicodemus understood it as “again” and wondered how an old man like him could enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time. But the Lord meant a birth from above (cp. John 19:23). Similarly, he spoke to the woman at the well about “living water” (John 4:10). She understood that to mean running water and wondered how he would give her that water when he didn’t have a bucket to fetch it (John 4:11). Jesus, however, was talking about the Holy Spirit (John 7:38–39).

So far, the Lord has been talking about one’s loyalty to God and Mammon, a Syrian deity. But mammon also stood for one’s wealth as Mammon was the deity of wealth and prosperity (this was the second meaning). Although Jesus talked about loyalty to God or gods, the Pharisees picked up the second meaning—one’s love for wealth or money.

“The Pharisees—the lovers of silver* (φιλάργυροι, filarguroi)—heard this and mocked him.” (Luke 16:14)

The Pharisees didn’t love silver (an action); instead, they were lovers of silver (a being). As such, they didn’t like Jesus’s teaching and resorted to mocking him.

The Lord, in turn, replied,

“You are justifiers of yourselves before people, but God knows your hearts: Exaltation among people is an abomination before God.” (16:15)

The Pharisees exalted themselves as God’s privileged people because they kept the law, and God blessed them with wealth, unlike the poor and ordinary people. They justified themselves as godly and blessed. Whereas the people saw their outward appearances and thought of them as holy and blessed, God knew their hearts, their true selves. They were abominable before God because their holiness was tied to their exaltation before the people. In simple words, their faith was a show, not a reality.

In recent days, we’ve seen several Christian leaders with amazing popularity and show fall face down to horrible accusations and guilt. Whereas people see the outside, God sees one’s heart. That’s why we should examine our hearts to ensure they aren’t idolatrous, that is, committed to loving anything (money) or anyone (gods) other than YHWH God. No one can serve two Lords—YHWH and Mammon or God and wealth.

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*Most valuable coins in ancient times were made of silver or gold. Ordinary people rarely had gold or silver coins. Rich people, however, often had silver coins. As such, “the lovers of silver” (filos“lover”agruros“silver”) became a synonym for people who loved wealth. (Ps. Even now, Ag, the first two letters of agruros“silver” is the chemical abbreviation for silver.)