Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15
“Scripture teaches that neither asceticism nor avarice are a balanced approach to life. It shows us that we have a right and a duty to have our needs met. In the Early Church those who had much shared with those who had little. In Acts we see how distribution was to everyone as they had need (Acts 4:34). And Scripture teaches us that when we have more than we need we have a responsibility to help those who are in need.
Consider the words of Jesus in the well-known story of the farmer who went forth to sow. He mentioned two things that choked the growing wheat and made it unfruitful – the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth (Matthew 13:22). James Moffatt translates this vers:
As for him who is sown ‘among thorns’, that is the man who listens to the word, but the worry of the world and the delight of being rich choke the word; so it proves unfruitful.
Note the words ‘the delight of being rich’. Riches are not the enemy; it is the delight of being rich that we have to guard against. It sours the soul when we see riches as an end in themselves. If the delight is in what can be done through riches to help others then the soul is saved from decay.”
Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 21.
Give generously at year end. Save your soul from decay. Why echo such strong language?
The delight of being rich or the love of money brings the opposite result that it promises. If it promises security, it brings you insecurity. Though it promises comfort, it brings a curse. Watch out!
The world tells people to incur debt (overspending with the notion that life consists in having things: a house, a car, clothes, or other stuff) and hoarding (if I save to certain number, then I can retire comfortably).
Jesus said to watch out for these two extremes! He labeled them foolish as these two forms of greed destroy lives and families, and they rob people of the joy of living, giving, serving, and loving according to God’s design.
Give generously this year end to your church, to ministries that bless your region and country, and support groups like GTP (click here to give) as we aim to spread biblical thinking on accountability and generosity worldwide.