Fifth Sunday of Eastertide – May 18, 2025

Introduction

  • Most of think as much about money as almost anything else. The bible talks a lot about money. Scholars estimate that around 15% of Jesus’ teachings involve money.
  • How should we, as disciples of Jesus and citizens of the kingdom of God, handle money? The text David read suggests a few ideas.

A few notes on Luke 12:13-34

  • Context: Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem, v. 1 “crowd of many thousands had gathered.”
  • “Who appointed arbiter or judge?” – common for rabbis, scribes to decide cases of law
  • “Watch out for greed!” – greed is simply the desire for more stuff, coveting (“idolatry”)
  • Parable of the rich fool vv.21 – OT fool: “no God.” I/my. v.17ff. Jesus: v.20-21.
  • In vv. 22-34: extended teaching on not worrying but on trusting God to provide for our needs and laying up eternal rewards in heaven. Two nature references: Ravens: God feeds/more valuable; we can’t add nanosecond to life. Flowers: Solomon, worth more.
  • Jesus distills his message in v. 31 (“seek his kingdom”) and v. 34 (“treasure” – “heart”).

Five biblical principles concerning money

  1. Money is not evil. But it is dangerous. Not evil. Two corollaries: 1) saving money is not sinful but good, and 2) being a business owner is not a second class calling. Why is money dangerous? 1 Timothy 6:9-10: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
  2. God owns our money. We just manage it. All the money we acquire in life belongs to God. Psalm 24:1: “The earth is Yahweh’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” In his goodness, he allows us to use much of it to buy things that we enjoy. He also expects us to manage his money according to his priorities, so he tells us not to hoard it, waste it on dumb stuff or live for it. Instead, he invites us to trust him to provide for our needs and to give generously to the poor and his kingdom (2 Corinthians 9:6). Key point: we are stewards of God’s money.
  3. How we handle money determines (in part) our eternal rewards. Let me be clear: the fact we get eternal rewards instead of the punishment we deserve is determined by one thing alone. What is it? But the size of our rewards is proportionate to how faithfully we lived for God in this life (see Luke 19:15-19). Paul says in 1 Cor 3:11-15: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” So, question is: Are you living for the immediate or eternal?
  4. Money shapes our hearts. Your heart follows your treasure: v.34: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (cf. Prov 4:23). So, select what you prioritize carefully. God tells us to prioritize eternity: rewards that last forever rather than a short time. The main way to do this is to regularly, consistently give a certain portion of our income back to him as an offering (2 Cor 9:6-11; Prov 3:9-10; cf. Mal 3:8-12). How much? The place to start is the tithe (10%). Not the end but a benchmark. As part of our training in righteousness, the Lord will put us into situations to test our resolve (medical bill, car breaks down, etc.). But if you remain faithful, God will provide in extraordinary ways.
  5. Giving sets us free to love and live. Frees us from greed and selfishness. Free to live unencumbered by “stuff”, sustained by God who provides. Free to love God and others not just in word but with practical help. Free from being tied to “this age” to store up eternal treasures. Free to live like Jesus. The only way to live free is to habitually give a percentage of our money to the poor (like Jesus Center), church, missions, organizations like Care Net, Hope Academy, other kingdom building causes. In 1 Timothy 6:16-19 Paul wrote: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

 

Takeaway

What is the Lord saying to you? Have you subtly slipped in your heart so that you have “a love for money? If so, repent. Resolve today you will give proportionately what he has given to you.

Many of you here have learned these principles well. Some of you have been giving faithfully and generously for many years.

Others of you have not yet stepped in to that place of great privilege, responsibility, joy and obedience, and God is inviting you today to begin the practice of proportionate, regular giving.