Making Friends With Unrighteous Money Series

Be waiting and watching for me? [7]

Is anybody waiting to meet me because I acted wisely in using “unrighteous wealth?” This question should concern each of us who name the Name of Christ the Lord.

The thrust of Jesus’ words is that each Christian is responsible to use the wealth entrusted to his or her oversight; they are not to hoard it. Wealth is to be the disciple’s servant and not his master. This pericope concludes with Jesus’ solemn assertion that “you cannot serve God and money.” Either we master our money, or our money masters us. What else can be meant in the words of the Apostle recorded in 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-11? “There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

The evidence of how we view these words is witnessed by our use of money. How is your money now used? Is the amount set aside in your RSP greater than the investment you have made in souls? I am not suggesting that you neglect caring for the needs associated with the advent of old age. I am suggesting, however, that you dare not neglect eternal issues. Do you spend more time accumulating moneys for your pension than you do in preparing to advance the cause of Christ through this congregation? The work of Christ is hindered more through the failure of Christians to provide for the advance of His work than it is through the opposition of a hostile, secular society. Have you thought of providing for the work of the congregation after you are called to leave this life? Have you arranged to leave a legacy of the work of the assembly?

Too often we fail to support the labours of our churches beyond a pittance left over after we have ensured our own ease. Few Christians actually practise the tithe as the minimum gift with which to worship God. We ensure that we provide for our own luxury—attempting to beautify aging faces, seeking ease for dying bodies and comfort for dissolute lives—without considering the needs arising from the conduct of Christ’s work. If anything is left over after we have addressed our wants, we may think of God.

Jesus urged His disciples to seize the fleeting opportunities to do good. With this parable, He encourages disciples to consider how best to use skilfully the wealth entrusted to them as they prepare for eternity. He speaks of the need for Christians to live to please God. Instead of asking what is the minimum effort required to honour God, He is urging on us the need to find how to maximise our investment in His cause.