In matters of possession, there are two extremes to avoid. The first is to think that our life is measured by them. If we think having great possessions is what makes us and we gloat over them, we are in error. Jesus put paid to this when He taught that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of things he has. The second extreme is to think that possessions are outrightly evil. Our text of scripture will take an exception to such submission. God promised Israel that they would come out of serving Egypt with great substance. He does not tempt anyone with evil. If possessions were evil, it would be out of place to give a promise of same to His people.

What might be evil with possession is the way people go about acquiring it…Another thing that may be evil with possession is if it takes hold of the heart of the owner.

What might be evil with possession is the way people go about acquiring it. Jacob began his journey to great substance through a dubious means. He lied and swindled his brother out of his inheritance. That would haunt him many years later. Ahab also acquired a vineyard after his wife had gruesomely murdered its owner. Both the king and his wife had a shameful end. Another thing that may be evil with possession is if it takes hold of the heart of the owner. In this case, the possessor is possessed by a strange spirit called mammon. No one can serve God and mammon together. If we take care of this and other dangers associated with possessions, it can be a great means to serve God and minister to the needs of the hungry and the homeless.