No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24
“Jesus Christ and all the writers of the New Testament call us to break free of mammon lust and live in joyous trust. Their radical criticism of wealth is combined with a spirit of unconditional generosity. They point us to a way of living in which everything we have we receive as a gift, and everything we have is cared for by God, and everything we have is available to others when it is right and good. This reality frames the heart of Christian simplicity. It is the means of liberation and power to do what is right and to overcome the forces of fear and avarice.”
Richard Foster in The Freedom of Simplicity (New York: HarperCollins, 1981) 62.
Do you live in joyous trust? Elsewhere Foster says, “Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life.” The Christian life that is free of mammon lust is liberating and powerful. Could it be that the lack of power in the Church today betrays devotion to mammon lust rather than to God?
Today I am attending meetings in Indianapolis and will give a devotional to launch an ECFA church advisory group that will speak into the creation of a variety of Christian financial literacy materials and resources for God’s Church. Pray for me as I point the attention of the group to what the New Testament contains for followers of Christ.
When my meeting is over, I fly from Indianapolis to San Diego, while Sammy flies from Denver to San Diego. Tonight we connect with Jenni and Sophie to celebrate Sammy’s 20th birthday at In-N-Out Burger. Happy Birthday, Sammy! We thank God for the gift of three days together, and for a son who lives in joyous trust!