Words about the WORD - Neil Bennett - First Baptist Church

Money Matters

Jesus had more to say about money than almost any other topic.  Yet 2000 years later, people have trouble agreeing on exactly what he does say.  One of the reasons for this is that Jesus rarely gives us practical steps about how to handle our money, but instead he presents timeless principles. For instance, Jesus gives this word of caution regarding the power and pull of money. “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”” (Luke 12:15, ESV). 

Covetousness can be defined as an excessive and ungodly craving for money and possessions. The Reformation leader, Martin Luther wisely observed, “It was with good reason that God commanded through Moses that the vineyard and harvest were not to be gleaned to the last grape or grain; but something to be left for the poor. For covetousness is never to be satisfied; the more it has, the more it wants.” Jesus reminds us that our lives are not defined by how much wealth we can accumulate. He tells the parable of a rich fool who keeps building bigger and bigger barns to store all of his possessions so he can “eat, drink and be merry!” “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20–21, ESV).

So how does one become rich toward God? Someone has suggested that there are three questions Christians must ask themselves about money:

1) How did you get it?  (Did it involve honest work and ethical dealings with others?)

2) What are you doing with it? (Are you hoarding it? Wasting it on things you don’t really need? Are you using it to exploit others?)

3) What is it doing to you? (Is your money contributing to your own corruption or blessing the lives of others and expanding the Kingdom of God?)

Jesus speaks to all three of these issues, but he seems to focus on the last one the most. Jesus explains that money and possessions can become a form of idolatry. Our desire for money can catch hold of us and dominate our lives, diverting our attention away from God. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24, ESV). The philosopher Francis Bacon said, “If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master. The covetous man cannot so properly be said to possess wealth, as that may be said to possess him.”  

Jesus urges us to trust God to provide for our needs as we focus on living as servants of his Kingdom. “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31–33, ESV)

Knowing that God graciously provides for our needs means that we can afford to be generous with others. Jesus said, ““Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:32–34, ESV) The evangelist Billy Graham said, “Tell me what you think about money, and I will tell you what you think about God, for these two are closely related. A man’s heart is closer to his wallet than anything else.” May God direct our wallets and our hearts for the glory of his kingdom!