Jesus tells two very interesting parables in this chapter, both to do with money, riches etc. It seems to be a recurring and important theme in Jesus' teaching.
In between these two parables Jesus makes this statement:
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Are we like the Pharisees who "love money"? If so Jesus says it is likely we will try to justify ourselves... but God knows our hearts.
I will look forward to hearing your spin on the parables and what God may be saying to us through them.
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
13 comments:
Just one more brief comment on the quote in bold. Does this mean that if we truly love God we will automatically hate money; if we are devoted to God that we will despise money? I had never looked at this verse from that angle before.
Re love God - despise money... I don't think despise is the word. If the money we have is from honest occupation - then - like the occupation (and everything else we have) it is a gift from God, not to be despised - but surrendered to Him in how it is used.
The Baker story this week - they are reliant on people being moved to send money amongst other things! P63: "I am praying that a supernaturally motivated and enabled wave of assistance from around the world will materialise ...."
A lovely guy from SU spoke one Sunday in Harare on giving (it was the sort of annual sermon on the topic that pastors like to handball to someone else!)
I have never forgotten what he said - because it embodies both of these parables today.
God is not concerned with how much you give each week - He is concerned with what you do with what you hold back!
That "sell everything and give to the poor..." and the problem I [thanks Gemma for reminding me about the I in the blog] have knowing what to do about such scriptures. I think it means "surrender everything you have for Gods Kingdom work. Realise nothing is yours." He may not call me out of the job I am in - He may bless me with an increase in salary so that I can give more to His work!
V9 is key here - and my paraphrase is "use your material blessings to bring people into Gods Kingdom - in whatever way you can, so that when you get to Heaven - you will find people who without your acts of generosity may not have been able to have been reached for Jesus - and they will welcome you home!"
Thanks for your comments Rosaleen. I agree - I would not have chosen the word "despise" and yet it seems this is the word Jesus used (most translations interpret in the same way.)
As a person surrounded by and saturated in wealth and riches I don't believe I can see clearly on this subject. I need to submit to the words of Jesus even when they may not make sense to me and seek his clarity and revelation.
or is it simply when love for God consumes all else who cares about the basic things...
Good points Rosaleen and great quote - "God is not concerned with how much you give each week - He is concerned with what you do with what you hold back"
It's not how much I earn it's how much emphasis I place on earning it and what I do with it that counts!
The "wave of assistance from around the world" that the Bakers are praying for must have to come from somewhere?? God could shower $100 bills from the heavens if He wanted to, but tomorrow there would still be the same billions in need.
Surley, money is a resource that can be used to bless, that's for sure. Do we have an obligation as the 'rich of this world' to be used as channels of giving? Rosaleen, I agree that our jobs, incomes are a gift from God.
1 Tim 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
Timothy presents that it isn't money that is evil but the love of it.
Thanks everyone for your comments on this topic. I still have a couple of questions:
1) How do we know that we don't love money?
2) If I am one of the "rich in this world" (which I think I am) and I agree with Rosaleen, Gemma and Sherrie that we are to be channels of giving, then why isn't this happening to a larger degree? (I actually think Richard's comment is part of the answer).
Is it money, materialism, or the security that cash in the bank (or the predictable salary) provides - I think it differs for all of us. Maybe it's just all about the heart attitude or priority that we place on it.
Maybe money should be like manna - not supposed to be hoarded, just used asap or it will degenerate (in many facets).
I don't hate it or else I would also hate to pass it on. I think it's one of the most powerful vehicles for God's work and also a pretty good thermometer on our Christian walk and attitude.
I think Jesus probably talked about it more than almost anything else - interesting to see that we do the same.
I earn a pretty good salary - is it better for the Kingdom for me to earn it so that I can give more or resign from my job and live by faith, give much less and serve more?
Who knows.....
Hmmmm, I wonder ....what a great question, Garry :)
Andrew's question (1) "How do we know that we don't love money?"
As Garry says, the response will be different for everyone.
For me, I beleive I do not 'love' money because:
I don't have any!!
I work only to barely cover my living expenses.
I knock back work in favour of life balance.
I must be honest and tell you that this attitude towards money is not something I have acquired since finding GOD, it has always been the case so it's just me.
(Having said that, I'd be lying if I didn't also tell you living this way can sometimes be a 'burden' ... but something ALWYAS comes up ... PRAISE GOD!)
Andrew's question 2) If I am one of the "rich in this world" ... why isn't this happening to a larger degree?
It isn't happening to the extent that it COULD because, for far too many, the bar of what are considered 'basic needs' has risen with the continued bombardment of STUFF!!! (Plasmas, wii, new car models, household gadgets, new fashions etc. etc.)
Then there's the 'need' for an annual overseas trip. The 'need' for one bedroom per child. The 'need' for a new mobile etc. etc.
You get my drift, I'm sure!
What about this quote from Luke 9?
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.
or this in Luke 10...
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others ...Go! ... Do not take a purse or bag or sandals
Maybe he knows how easily distracted we are by stuff and that we might be tempted to rely on our own resources rather than his power??
Andrew - when we have nothing - we are utterly reliant on God - and we learn that He is completely reliable.
When we have stuff, we are NOT totally reliant on God. In addition we are faced with these endless debates - "OK if this is more than I need - let me give it away - but how much do I retain to be "provident" with my own responsibilities..." and then next as Gemma has indicated - the "needs" I have are tainted by what I already have and have become used to - and the need to keep it current! and the marketing persuading me what I should become used to! Its a whole trap!
I have learned that if I get into an 'inner debate' about things like this - satan is happily at work already!
You asked - how do I know that I don't love money and I have been thinking about that the last few hours. BIG question! The mindset that nothing that we have is ours is critical. I feel hypocritical here because although I absolutely feel that everything I have been given is a free gift to be used for God - I am in a cop out situation that I cannot be tested in this to a large degree because I have no rights over what Rolf and I have! and there is no way I could even open up the debate of giving it away!
So where I feel and believe it would be wonderful to be able to share and give away - I am not able to do these things - and so I don't really know what issues I would face if this was my sole decision!
I trust I would be as openhearted with things if I was able to be - as I THINK I would be!
I recognise though that even though I am certain we can give away heaps - I have this line that I am certain I would be trying to draw - the line that is security, my own minumum basic. I dont know that am able to say - take it all with any degree of honesty! But then I don't think that is what I am called to either!
I like the idea of stepping out in faith in small steps and letiing God manage the issues that He knows are outside of my control!
I am LOVING this time of readinng, praying, learning so much more of His heart - what a wonderful journey!
It's all a bit scary to think about. What are we to do? Use our money for the good of others not just ourselves. What about retirement? I was talking to a neighbour today who was saying he is working his but off at the moment so he can retire happily. I don't want to have to work now just to be happy later, I want to be happy NOW. Should we still think about retirement? I wonder that we have to have the mentality that God will always provide. I want to feel safe though. Just a few thoughts of mine I thought I would write down, after I read everyone's comments.
For further excellent challenging thoughts on this topic go to:
http://www.howtobecomeamissionary.com/
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