Jesus chose an interesting word to describe wealth: deceitful. (See Matthew 13:22.) If something is deceitful, it promises one thing while delivering something else. Here are three deceitful things that wealth whispers in our ears:

“I will give you security.” A common worry is that we won’t have enough. Wealth makes a promise that it will always take care of us. That’s deceitful because wealth accumulated over many decades can be wiped out in a single moment.

“I will give you happiness.” Advertisements and commercials lure us into the idea that the more we can buy, the happier we will be. That is deceitful because the more we focus on material things, the less room we have for the relationships that really matter.

“I am proof that you matter.” A big temptation is to look at our net worth and equate that with our personal worth. Wealth tells us that the more of it we get, the more important or valuable we are. That is deceitful because sometimes the accumulation of wealth comes at the cost of more important things.

The best way to see the true nature of wealth is to see the true nature of Jesus. Jesus gives you true security that lasts for eternity. He gives you joy even in the midst of poverty. He determined your value when he paid for your life with his own blood.

Whatever wealth is whispering in your ear today, remember how Jesus offers so much more.