Acquiring Money Wellness

This week we’ve been letting Jesus teaching us about watching out for greed. He gave us two situational signs: gloating and worry; two psychological signs: security and beauty; and two practical signs: running after it and storing it up. He had much to say about money while He was on earth. Much to say about greed and how we are to handle it in a way that brings Him glory. So, let me close this week with some more thoughts about Luke 12 and specifically as to how we can acquire money wellness.

(1) The first thing you will need is a Radical experience of Grace. Verse 32-33, Jesus does not say you give so that you can get to heaven. You have already been given the kingdom apart from your works and when you see that you have been given the kingdom; therefore you give radically. Money sickness is a lack of inner wealth. 1 Peter 2:9, “God’s own people (treasure)…” We are God’s own treasure! God owns it all and yet we are His treasure.

2 Cor 8:7-9, “though he was rich…so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Inner wealth comes from knowing Jesus treasures you and was willing to give up everything for you. God treasured us so much that He came to the cross to buy us back—that is love. When you know that, you come to know inner wealth—and money just becomes money. It is not longer your security or beauty. At the center of ever soul is the precious—every treasure will demand you die to purchase it with one exception—Jesus died to purchase you!

(2) Be a member of a radically changed community. Verse 32-33, “don’t be afraid.” If you aren’t willing to give you are afraid because you are worried about your needs. What about my needs, my clothes, my food? We often don’t give as we should because we don’t realize God’s kingdom will meet those needs. Matthew 6:33, “all these things will be given to you.” We often view this as if God is saying when you give God will send a check in the mail. God is saying,

“Don’t be afraid little flock—the Father has given you the kingdom.”

You are a part of the Kingdom of God and as a part of the kingdom of God you have 100 times as much as what you give up for the Kingdom. We see that in Mark 10—no one who has lost…for me and the Gospel will fail to receive 100 times as much.

You gain a community in Christ. You get fields and homes on top of Mothers, Fathers, Brothers…along with the new community comes homes and fields—we share one another’s homes and possessions. We can freely give radically because we know there are others who will do the same for us if we are ever in want. You have to be a member of the community in which the Gospel has so humbled your pride that you are willing to let people know when you have a need and we must be a part of the community that is so free of money sickness that they are willing to give. Is this community of believers a community like that? I think it is getting there and I know that it can be if we will commit ourselves to money wellness.