Hold it Loosely

Money and other possessions can be a great blessing and of great use in serving King Jesus. Our money can be used to support missions, to care for the needs of the poor and afflicted, and to provide for our families. Yet Jesus says that Money makes it hard for people to enter the Kingdom of God. How do we navigate this danger in the wealthy west? How do we use our wealth (unless you're homeless all Americans are wealthy) for the Kingdom without succumbing to the danger.

I fear that money has several dangers that we must fight to overcome. Money binds our hearts to this world - we begin to love our money and come to the point where we hate to leave it behind. Money divides our loyalties - we get sucked into preserving and making more money and we lose the hunger to follow and serve Christ. Money misplaces our trust and safety - money can make us feel safe and secure, "I have enough money to care for us so now I can relax" whereas our only real security is the fact that we are in Christ. Money can make us forget that we must live for the treasure in heaven - we are foolish to live for treasure that moth with rot and rust destroy when God has laid up for us treasure that nothing can take away. The little pleasures of money can make us forget that there are infinite pleasures and joys to be tasted now but feasted on when feasting with Jesus in His Kingdom.

How do we fight this danger. First we must remember that we are stewards, all we have belongs to God we are called to manage it according to His purposes and will. Second we are to pursue the true treasure Jesus Christ. If we are pursuing fellowship with Him, and if we are meditating on His truth then I think that we will slowly but surely be set free from this dangerous money.

Hold it loosely brothers and sisters or simply let it go in service to God.

Book Recommendation - The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

Randy Alcorn is abundantly qualified to write this book. He participated in a peaceful protest of an abortion clinic that led him to be sued and sentenced to pay the clinic millions of dollars which he refused to do. The only way that he could avoid funding abortions was to make only minimum wage which he immediately did, resigning his pastorate and refusing his book royalties. Basically the closest a protestant can get to a vow of poverty. He learned to live with much less than he was used to and at the same time learned to give with less. So out of this background what he says about money and giving come from a place of personal integrity and experience.

The central thrust of the book is what he calls the Treasure Principle: the idea that you can't take it (money/possessions) with you - but you can send it on ahead.

He then unravels the Bible's teaching on the use of money throughout the book giving six treasure principles. I found the book very helpful personally and as a tool for a sermon series that is in the works.

Highly recommended for all Christians in our materialistic culture.