On Sunday, I re-entered the teaching series that is exploring the book of Proverbs with an introduction to the last major Proverbial topic we'll cover: Riches. You can hear that message here.
As I prepared last week, I read a very helpful blog by another pastor named Kevin DeYoung, who also happens to be preaching through the book of Proverbs, and happens to have recently touched on the topic of money. His blog pointed out how easy it is to use the Bible to prove just about any theory on money. Spend time with some of the Proverbs that promise material blessing for faithful living, or look at the life of Abraham, or Solomon, or even Job (when all is said and done), and it's not hard to figure out where the "prosperity gospel" preachers get their ideas. Then again, spend some time reading the words of Jesus, the ideas of Paul, or the celebration of suffering in 1 Peter, and you'll find out exactly where those believers who recoil from riches and opulence get their ideas. DeYoung states, and I agree, that the whole of Proverbs is a great place to go if you are actually going to seek a fully biblical perspective on money, possessions, work, and all the related topics.
Jesus makes it the most clear: you cannot serve both God and money (he uses the word Mammon there, but it is commonly translated money and with good reason). Money can be a tool; that's clear from the words of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Solomon - but the second it begins to assert itself as the thing worth worshipping, pursuing, serving, and seeking... it is an idol. And idols must be smashed.
I said on Sunday that Proverbs does not teach that it's bad to be rich. Let me complete that thought here (that's the purpose of this blog these days): Proverbs does not teach that it's bad to be rich UNLESS riches are taking the place of wisdom, or honesty, or healthy relationships, or personal wholeness, or your good name, or (most importantly) a right relationship with God (aka, righteousness). If that's the case, the most gracious thing God could do for you is bring about financial crisis in your life. He is the same God who did not abide idolatry with his people Israel. When we enter into Christ, we leave the kingdom of idols... but we can still choose to serve them. God's grace will then work to destroy them. Which is painful for us. It involves suffering.
It is not bad to be rich. But if your riches (or your desire for riches) overwhelm the Godly goods in your life: worship of him, love in your family, integrity in your behavior, and so on... then it is bad. It is idolatry.
Here's the thing: we were created to enjoy luxury and to desire unlimited resources. We were made in the image of God, who has no financial burden, no want, no need. If the images of the New Jerusalem, Heaven, Paradise, the Father's House with its many rooms, and more do not shout wealth, riches, and luxury, I don't know what does! We fall into the trap of attempting to imitate heaven rather than recognizing that which Jesus has won for us on the cross and simply enjoying heaven - no matter what our earthly finances look like.
I have seen Godly men and women fall into the trap of trying to position themselves in such a way that he'll rain down the financial blessings on them, or on their ministry, or whatever. When natural things occur and those ministries or churches or individuals do become rich... I wonder if that's not actually one of the most dangerous positions possible. The tempter of our flesh has pulled the ultimate heist when that occurs. You see, God knows our hearts. And he knows that riches will never satisfy us - we'll always think there's more to be had, more that's needed. He is better.
It's just so stinking hard to believe. This idol is powerful. And if we don't gather the courage to smash it... he will do it for us, eventually. God have mercy. Make your name Holy among us. Let your Kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We want to want YOU.
As I prepared last week, I read a very helpful blog by another pastor named Kevin DeYoung, who also happens to be preaching through the book of Proverbs, and happens to have recently touched on the topic of money. His blog pointed out how easy it is to use the Bible to prove just about any theory on money. Spend time with some of the Proverbs that promise material blessing for faithful living, or look at the life of Abraham, or Solomon, or even Job (when all is said and done), and it's not hard to figure out where the "prosperity gospel" preachers get their ideas. Then again, spend some time reading the words of Jesus, the ideas of Paul, or the celebration of suffering in 1 Peter, and you'll find out exactly where those believers who recoil from riches and opulence get their ideas. DeYoung states, and I agree, that the whole of Proverbs is a great place to go if you are actually going to seek a fully biblical perspective on money, possessions, work, and all the related topics.
Jesus makes it the most clear: you cannot serve both God and money (he uses the word Mammon there, but it is commonly translated money and with good reason). Money can be a tool; that's clear from the words of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and Solomon - but the second it begins to assert itself as the thing worth worshipping, pursuing, serving, and seeking... it is an idol. And idols must be smashed.
I said on Sunday that Proverbs does not teach that it's bad to be rich. Let me complete that thought here (that's the purpose of this blog these days): Proverbs does not teach that it's bad to be rich UNLESS riches are taking the place of wisdom, or honesty, or healthy relationships, or personal wholeness, or your good name, or (most importantly) a right relationship with God (aka, righteousness). If that's the case, the most gracious thing God could do for you is bring about financial crisis in your life. He is the same God who did not abide idolatry with his people Israel. When we enter into Christ, we leave the kingdom of idols... but we can still choose to serve them. God's grace will then work to destroy them. Which is painful for us. It involves suffering.
It is not bad to be rich. But if your riches (or your desire for riches) overwhelm the Godly goods in your life: worship of him, love in your family, integrity in your behavior, and so on... then it is bad. It is idolatry.
Here's the thing: we were created to enjoy luxury and to desire unlimited resources. We were made in the image of God, who has no financial burden, no want, no need. If the images of the New Jerusalem, Heaven, Paradise, the Father's House with its many rooms, and more do not shout wealth, riches, and luxury, I don't know what does! We fall into the trap of attempting to imitate heaven rather than recognizing that which Jesus has won for us on the cross and simply enjoying heaven - no matter what our earthly finances look like.
I have seen Godly men and women fall into the trap of trying to position themselves in such a way that he'll rain down the financial blessings on them, or on their ministry, or whatever. When natural things occur and those ministries or churches or individuals do become rich... I wonder if that's not actually one of the most dangerous positions possible. The tempter of our flesh has pulled the ultimate heist when that occurs. You see, God knows our hearts. And he knows that riches will never satisfy us - we'll always think there's more to be had, more that's needed. He is better.
It's just so stinking hard to believe. This idol is powerful. And if we don't gather the courage to smash it... he will do it for us, eventually. God have mercy. Make your name Holy among us. Let your Kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. We want to want YOU.
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