Money

Reference

Luke 12:13-34; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

MESSAGE SUMMARY

The Bible’s teaches those of us who are “rich” to do this with money:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Jesus taught about money using a parable of a rich fool. He teaches that the rich fool gathered and saved up all that he had for himself, yet he died without taking anything away. (Luke 12:13-21)

When we hear these teachings, we don’t usually think that it applies to us. Afterall, we don’t consider ourselves as “rich” by any standards. And so we have a tendency to dismiss these teachings.

However, according to the world’s standards, even if we earn just minimum wage in British Columbia, we are considered the top 10% richest people in the world. Different metrics and studies by different companies show us that most of our financial income is double that of the standard of the world. Even if we are students or not working at the moment, chances are we are still “well-off” compared to the rest of the world.

So the teachings from the Bible that address the “rich” are actually targeted to us. We are the “rich in this present age”, and we may become the “rich fool” if we are not mindful.

Jesus teaches us to not be rich in things, but to be “rich towards God”. Be a different kind of rich. Be rich in good works. This kind of richness will...