Jesus made some strong statements about money in the gospels (Matthew 6:24), not because He preached against it, but because the love of money has a powerful influence and can lead us astray.

There is a story in the Bible showing the overwhelming attraction people often have to wealth. This happened when the children of Israel were starting to conquer the promised land. God had helped them win a miraculous battle over the city of Jericho. They had been instructed by God that no one was to keep any gold, silver, or precious possessions found in the city.

However, a man named Achan couldn’t control his desire, and when he found a wedge of gold, some silver coins, and some costly materials, he hid them. At first all seemed well, but when they went into their next battle against a much smaller city than Jericho, they suffered a defeat in which 36 of their soldiers were killed. Joshua asked God why this had happened and He told him it was because of someone’s disobedience and greed.

Eventually Achan owned up to what he had done, but because his actions—driven by greed and the love of money—had caused the death of 36 people and the defeat of Israel, he was executed. (See Joshua chapter 7.)

This example seems extreme today, when materialism holds such sway in culture, and a desire for material possessions is often considered virtuous. But Hebrews 13:5 says: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” God will provide what we need, so we must not get caught up in greed.

This story goes on to show that while wealth and possessions can bring comfort and stability, if gotten in the wrong way, they lead to sorrow and suffering. If we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by all the material possessions available, and we become obsessed, it can lead to unhappiness, debt, and financial ruin.

One thing that has helped me when I’ve wanted some material possession is to give myself time, rather than being impulsive. Often the desire fades, my priorities become clear, and I realize that I don’t need or can’t really afford it, or I find something better in the meantime. It is not always a sin to act on a desire, but we should strive to stay free from the powerful hold things can have on us.