Generosity and the Way of Jesus

So, is Jesus asking us to give all our money away?

Well, if that money is standing between you and Him then, yeah, probably.

But regardless of what your relationship with money is like, generosity and the godly use of finances are necessary for any follower of Jesus.

Wealth as a Positive

I want to avoid the view that all money is evil. Remember that Jesus’ ministry was financed and that He even had a treasurer (we won’t go into how he turned out…).

It’s entirely possible for followers of Jesus to use their money positively; here are a few examples:

• Providing for a family

• Donating to nonprofits and charities with good causes 

• Donating to your local church

• Blessing others with a meaningful gift, meal, etc.

• Providing financial help to those in need

We can also use our finances to delight in God’s creation like buying a ticket to a good movie or admission to a national park.

Because the issue isn’t wealth itself but what we make of it.

It’s very telling that monks, for hundreds of years, have taken vows of poverty.

They understand just how much temptation wealth brings and how detrimental it can become to the spiritual life.

After all, Jesus never played around when it came to the root of sin. His solution was as simple as it was blunt.

Cut it off (Matthew 5v29-30).

Class Disparity and the Kingdom of Heaven

I’m blessed enough to work at an intercultural church whose diversity goes deeper than skin color.

Our community contains everyone from struggling single mothers to accomplished career folk.

And I’ve seen how some of the wealthy among us use their wealth to bless others. To feed the hungry, to house the poor, to provide hospitality, and to foster community in the name of Jesus.

The way I see it, there is no private property in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For us, wealth becomes useless and irrelevant the moment it starts to privatize and create class distance between brothers and sisters in Christ.

At that point, we’re far better off selling it all and giving the money to the poor.

So, let’s pray for the grace to embody the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth as we wait for Christ to come again.

That includes living in a community where the wealthy aren’t above the poor but, instead, use that wealth as Jesus would.

Let’s remember that we are one body and that a dollar sign should never change that.

And, of course, let’s always be ready to use our money for Jesus, no matter the cost.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter