The business world is made up of the financial institutions; banks, corporate and merchandising organisations. Part of what makes up the business world is the stock exchange and government regulatory bodies.
MAMMON
What is Mammon?
Mammon is a spirit that rests on money and controls people through money.
Matt 6:24 “No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
1 Tim 6:10 “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.”
Matt 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
God is Spirit and we are called to love and serve God with all our hearts.
Mammon is a demonic spirit which desire to take the heart of men.
Mammon is the spirit that gives the desire for wealth (assets, possessions, earnings).
Henceforth resulting to greed (coveting, desiring more, idolatry).
Col 3:5 “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
Covetousness which is idolatry.
Covetousness which is idolatry.
Money has no power – the spirit of mammon has power – demonic power.
The spirit of mammon brings bondage.
How Does the Spirit of Mammon Operate?
Matt 6:24 “No man can serve two masters!”
Mammon’s intention – control your heart and loyalty
- Demonic Spirits all work to turn your heart away from God.
- Mammon desires to have you love, serve and be loyal to him.
- Mammon is:
- Opposed to God (Antichrist).
- Seeking to take the place of God in your life.
- Looking for servants - slaves.
Mammon’s operation – Deception
- Mammon is a spirit – it talks to you. If you listen and believe, you will serve it.
"You need this!"
"If I had more money I could help more people."
- Mammon promises what only God can give: Security, freedom, respect, purpose, identity, happiness.
- Mammon entices you to place great value (honour) on money.
PRAYER [self, family, business world]
- Lord, help me love You with all my heart and not allow the love of money into my heart.
- Lord, help me to serve You with all my heart and not
- Let my heart seek after Your kingdom.
- Lord, turn the heart of the business world back to you.
- We break the stronghold of Mammon over the lives of men (Jam 5:1-6).
- Lord, open their heart to the message of the cross.
MATERIALISM
A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than
spiritual values.
Matt 6:19-34
Definition of Need: when you require something that is essential rather than just desire.
Definition of Want: have a desire to possess or acquire something i.e wish for it.
Materialism comes from the heart desiring more of this world goods than the kingdom of God.
What leads to materialism?
- Lack of contentment
- Greed
- Competition
- Envy, Jealousy, Pride etc (1 John 2:16;Eccl 5:10; Heb 13:5)
How does the world promote it?
- Through loans
- Debts
- Sales
PRAYER
1 Tim 6:6-9
- Lord, give me a heart of contentment.
- Lord, help my heart not to desire this world's goods.
- Lord, deliver me from the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
- Declutter me from any trace of covetousness and greed (Luk 12:15).
- Help me, Lord not to be anxious for this world’s goods (Matt 6:25).
FULL GOSPEL MEN BUSINESS FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL
FGBMFI, the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, is best described by reading their name backwards. An International Fellowship of Men doing the Business of the Gospel, Fully. Their main aim is to use their resources to spread the gospel.
PRAYER [for FGMBFI]
- Lord, let the foundation of the fellowship built on the message of the cross be sustained.
- Father, keep their hearts in the doctrine of our Lord (Acts 2:42).
- Let, them seek the kingdom of God and not
- Lord, open the door to discipleship in this ministry.
- Lord, raise kingdom labourers - rekindle the fire of revival.
- Let there be unity of purpose as to propagate the gospel.
- May the torch of the message of the gospel burn.
- Pray for Demos Shakarian (current President)
