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
“Material affluence is associated with materialism. Yet the fact that the majority of Africans are materially poor does not mean that we are free from materialism. Many of us long for the material comforts we see depicted in glossy magazines.
One of Africa’s problems is the encouragement of Western patterns of consumption without the economic discipline required to achieve them. This longing for material riches fuels the preaching of a prosperity gospel in many parts of Africa.
Jesus warns of the great spiritual danger along this path: You cannot serve both God and money or, literally, ‘Mammon’, the Cathaginian god of wealth. A focus on material things can wrest our devotion form God to the god of wealth.”
Joe Kapolyo in “Matthew” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1149.
Kapolyo keenly notes that many servants of God have learned to practice ‘economic discipline’, or in plain terms, they have made money their slave. In so doing, God has caused their stewardship to grow.
He humbly admits that this is lacking in parts of Africa and alerts us to the fact that Western patterns can point people toward materialism and prosperity gospel.
So what should we do if we want to live and give generously? If our giving or our example crosses international borders, we must be sure we are doing at least two things.
For our giving, we should not give handouts that create dependency but rather hand ups that build disciples. By this way, our international giving will foster greater economic discipline.
Additionally, our example must reflect that we have made God our master and money our slave. If we don’t, we too will promote either prosperity gospel or ungodly materialism.
I am flying to Iowa today to speak on Tuesday at that annual dinner of Iowa Christian Generosity Council and to release a new devotional book with my co-author, Travis Shelton. I appreciate your prayers for safe travel.