Wealth (unfinished)

Luke 4:32-35 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

In modern Christian life, there are many that teach what is referred to as the health and wealth gospel. This news focuses on the idea that when we tithe, pray, and surrender our lives to Jesus, that he will return our money and devotion tenfold, giving us innumerable treasure here on earth and assuring us of bodily health. While alluring, I think that these ideas are misguided and, while I do not wish to cause trouble with my brothers, this gospel needs to be called out as what it is: a sinful lie that aims our focus onto our own greed and wellbeing, and not outward creating a relationship with God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

We Americans are inundated every day with commercialism. We have billboards, television, radio, product placement, product misplacement, sale signs; buy now, pay later, all you can eat, lowest price ever, lowest price possible unless you go across the street and see what they have it for, once in a lifetime sales every other week, hurry before time runs out, before we put it back in the vault, this may be your last chance, because our product can make you better, faster, stronger, smarter, sexier, less wrinkles, more wrinkles, we can even make you into an elephant if you have the right money, works only in conjunction with diet and exercise, this product is not FDA approved and is not meant to cure, treat, or diagnose any disease, and we may not have actually done any tests on it yet per say.

With a flood of advertisements like this, how can we escape feeling like we need to buy, own, make more money, etc.. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I don’t want to have nice things and have enough money to comfortably care for my family, but where is the line? And what does God say?

Here is what Jesus says about treasure: “Do not store up for ourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

So to Jesus, treasure was not found in the money that we had, but the price we put into heaven. We do not horde wealth on earth where, in the end, we will never have it anyway, but we are to give to the poor, invest in others, invest in God and follow Jesus.

Now, yes, I know that the second quote is directed to one person specifically, but as is said in 2 Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

So what is the treasure that we have saved up on earth? And does it have to be money? What do we have to sell? If we want to be perfect, do we have to sell our possessions? Give up television? Stop working so much? And start giving to the poor, reading books that shake us up and make us question what we have been always taught in order to bring us closer to God, and spend time with those who are in need (family, friends, food pantry, etc.) that we may have good relations with them and so that we may be shining examples of God?

(look up wealth and bring in argument about being a good steward of time and money)