4 minute read
Can't Buy Me Love
from Money (Mar/Apr 2018)
by Impactus
How Much of What We Own Attracts Attention to Itself Instead of God?
Why did Jesus speak so much about money? Many of the parables deal with money and possessions: like the parable of the lost coin, the parable of buried treasure, and the parable of the precious pearl. About 10 percent of the verses in the Gospels deal with money. One of my favourites is “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” (Matt 6:21)
One of the reasons Jesus spoke about money is because all of us can identify with it. We can identify with the pressure to earn enough to meet our needs, and the many needs of those around us. And Jesus understands this pressure.
Singles who don’t have children may not have the same financial pressures as those who are married or those who have children. Yet as singles, Jesus’ teaching on money can cause us to evaluate how we treat what he has given us.
So what can we learn about Jesus’ teaching on money?
MONEY HAS THE ABILITY TO PULL US AWAY FROM GOD
With money comes the temptation to rely on it as means of feeling selfsufficient. “This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I will say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.’ Luke 12:19-20.
Even when money is scarce, the temptation exists in believing that money alone can give life meaning. We can cling to a belief that “If only I had more dough everything would be easier.” But Jesus warns us that “Even in abundance life does not consist of one’s possessions.” (Luke 12:15b)
This is also the case with talents. A young employee new on the job is likely to cling to God for wisdom. But as he gains experience, as he gains confidence in his skills to solve problems, the temptation comes to rely on ability instead of God. Suddenly, work is not just something a person does, but it becomes their identity.
With money often come possessions. And with possessions comes responsibilities. And responsibilities take time. How much of what we buy interferes with time on our knees? How much of what we own attracts attention to it, instead of pointing us with gratitude to God?
The wise follower of Christ keeps their focus on the cross and the resurrection. Not on what is (or is not) in the bank account.
MONEY HAS THE ABILITY TO BE USED TO DO GREAT THINGS
God loves a cheerful giver. And when our hearts are in tune with Christ, we will love to contribute to his Kingdom. This can come by donating time and money to missions causes, or a businessman who creates jobs for people, or someone whose skillsets can be used to better the lives of others.
“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42.
MONEY REQUIRES US TO BE DILIGENT MANAGERS OF WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US
Proverbs 16:11 tells us “A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; all the weights of the bag are His concern.”
God wants us to be diligent with every penny we earn and every penny we spend. A written monthly budget can help with this.
Somebody who had recently lost the love of their life once told me that “if money is not being used to help someone else, then it’s just paper in your hands.”
Money can’t buy us love. But it can be used to show love to God and others whom He has put in our lives.
