God and Money

From September 2007:

Last Sunday’s Gospel lesson (Luke 16:1–13) warned of the impossibility of worshipping both God and money. This Sunday’s reading of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31), demonstrates the foolishness of those who ignore that warning. Money and God are jealous lovers, intolerant of rivals, exclusive in their claims. Both vie for the same human heart, both have their own attractions, both have definite destinies.

There is a deep biblical theology upon which these two affirmations are based, namely that Christ came into the world to find a bride. John the Baptist summarized Christ’s mission and ministry this way (John 3:22–30), and Jesus describes his ministry in these terms as well (Mark 2:18–20).

According to the Old Testament, the heart of human history is not primarily an economic nor political contest, but rather a nuptial one; God’s very own romantic quest for his people (Genesis 1–2 and Ezekiel 16). The closing scenes of the New Testament confirm this reading of human history (Revelation 18–22). That is, the Bible begins and ends with a wedding in a garden—more than a slight hint to God’s deepest intentions for his people.

When Jesus says we can’t serve both God and money, he is underscoring the exclusive claim of God on our hearts. Though financial resources can and should be harnessed for good in the world, they want to have a more prominent place in our lives. Money is a seduction. Christians affirm the proper place of money, as an instrument to bless others, though used with proper caution.

John Wesley’s prudent counsel for Christians’ use of money still rings true:

Make all you can.
Save all you can.
Give all you can.

And keep your heart wedded only to God.