The Bible reveals all manner of things God wants His children to know about, even warnings to protect us and give us security during our time here in the world. Any guesses as to what God – in His Word – has chosen to warn us about the most? [Wait for answers.]
Money. The New Testament refers to money, wealth, poverty, and stewardship more than any other topic. Money is one of the foremost topics on God’s mind to wake us up to, warn us about, and protect us from. So, as a part of a society which often defines people according to how much money they have or don’t have, by our “earning potential”, and according to the quality and quantity of our material possessions, what does a healthy attitude towards money look like? How can we as God’s children and Christ’s people use money responsibly without worshiping it and giving it power over our lives?
I believe our Father reveals to us three ways, across His Word: 1) uuu Godly people regularly remind themselves that money can’t solve the ultimate problems of daily life here in the world, only God can; 2) uuu godly people actively seek to be content with God’s provision and the knowledge that true riches are stored up in Heaven not in any manner of mattress or account here on Earth; and, 3) uuu godly people look for opportunities to give obediently, generously, and regularly to proactively fight-off the idolatry of money, wealth, and possessions, and to open our lives to the abundance only openhandedness and liberality allows.
Let’s begin with #1 – uuu Godly people regularly remind themselves that money can’t solve the ultimate problems of daily life here in the world, only God can. Open your Bibles to Matthew 5:1… I’m going to be reading from The Message translation of the Bible, so it may be different from whatever translation you may have open in front of you but please follow along. I’ve chosen The Message because it’s so fresh and different, but I want you to be comparing it to the more-traditional language you may have in front of you…
Matthew 5:1-12
5 1-2 When Jesus saw His ministry drawing huge crowds, He climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to Him, the committed, climbed with Him. Arriving at a quiet place, He sat down and taught His climbing companions. This is what He said:
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all Heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Reflecting on this translation (and, again, please keep your eyes on your Bible translations as I go along): You are blessed when you’re at the end of your rope – when you can’t take any more; you’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you; you are blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less; you are blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God; you’re blessed when you care; you’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right; you are blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight; you are blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution; and, you are blessed when people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you in order to discredit Jesus Christ…
But whether using the more traditional wording or this Message translation, Jesus’ qualifications for blessedness all have to do with being empty and weak and having to depend on and grow in our Father’s love because there’s no other help that can help. And when I look at these characteristics – spiritually empty, brokenhearted, content, zealous, compassionate, pure, harmonious, ill-treated – for everything else you might be able to use Mastercard, but not for any of these things. Only God can satisfy.
#2 – uuu Godly people actively seek to be content with God’s provision and the knowledge that true riches are stored up in Heaven not in any manner of mattress or account here on Earth.
Turn to Luke 12:22…
Luke 12:22-34
22 Then, turning to His disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
27 “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.
32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in Heaven! And the purses of Heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
What do you dream about? What are you saving up for? What are you willing to make sacrifices in order to achieve? What do you need to be happy? These are the kinds of questions that show us the desires of our hearts. And the desires of our hearts reflect what we truly treasure; what we believe will truly save us…
With #3 in mind – uuu Godly people look for opportunities to give obediently, generously, and regularly to proactively fight-off the idolatry of money, wealth, and possessions, and to open our lives to the abundance only openhandedness and liberality allows – these words of Jesus charge us, command us, “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in Heaven! And the purses of Heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Our Father has given us the tithe – calling us to give 10% of our income towards the strengthening and expansion of His Church here in the world – as a gift to us, to help us fight greed and the lure of selfishness and worldly-mindedness. But many of us could, and perhaps ought to, double-tithe – give away 20%. Some of us need to triple-tithe – give away 30% or even more – to fight the decay of our hearts and our faith, to stop our steady decline down the slippery-slope of our dependence and treasuring of money…
Preaching about money, I know, can make many people feel suspicious and uncomfortable: Maybe I’ve said some things that have hit a little too close to home (I know I’m feeling that way towards some of this stuff, even as I’m preaching it!); or maybe you’re thinking, “You’ve just said all this because you want my money.” And, of course, both of these reasons are exactly why our Father is so concerned about us and money: Because it can divide us, it can make us suspicious of each other’s motives, it can tempt us to treat each other unequally, and even move us to curse each other in our hearts out of jealousy on the one hand or contempt on the other. But He would save us from these things.
He would save us!