October 15, 2003
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (NRSV)
Luke 16:10–13

The scriptures of the New Testament don’t get much clearer than this. Actually, it’s a pretty uncomfortable reading, especially from where I live on the North Shore of Chicago, in a community that I usually compare to Camelot. In the Bible, Jesus spends a great deal of time talking about money--second only to talking about the kingdom of heaven. Most of the time the conflict between money and God is quite severe, and Jesus offers a radical criticism of the way contemporary society tells me to think about money.

Money can be a threat to our relationship with God just like it was for the wealthy in Jesus’ day. It is easy to become so obsessed with acquiring and keeping money that it keeps us from the abundant life God has called us to live. Richard J. Foster, in his insightful book Money, Sex, and Power: The Challenge of the Disciplined Life, suggests we free ourselves from the power money holds by looking at ourselves in a greater worldview. Foster says if we constantly compare ourselves to others like ourselves, we can always claim poverty. There is always a larger house, a newer car, a more stylish pair of shoes to buy. But, if we look at ourselves in relation to all humanity, we are wealthy beyond measure. By recognizing God’s ownership of all things, even my money, I can free my anxious and possessive spirit. It changes the question “How much of my money should I give to God?” when I learn to ask, “How much of God’s money should I keep for myself?” Therein lies the difference.

Dear loving and gracious God, help me to recognize that every generous gift is from above. Never let me lose sight of the fact that I have more than I need, and create in me a generous heart. Amen. Written by Sara Pfaff, Lay Leader