Scripture Reflections

In both our gospel reading from last Sunday (Luke 12:13-21) and the passages that follow (12:22-31 and 32-34), Jesus addresses our relationship to money. He makes three basic points: guard against covetousness (13-21), don’t be anxious about money (22-31), and be sacrificially generous to those in need (32-34). All of these commands are part of a larger teaching about what it means to be faithfully prepared for the coming Son of Man.

Underneath these commands are three foundational truths. The first is that we are deeply valuable to God the Father (v. 7), who will provide all that we need (v. 31). The second is that true life only comes from God, and not from our money or possessions (v. 15). And the third is that our money both reveals and changes our hearts (v. 34).

Each of us probably struggles to believe one or another of these truths. Face-to-face with a month with too many bills, it can be difficult to believe that God will provide all that we need. Anxiety over money is a fairly natural response! And it is difficult to persuade ourselves that a new purchase won’t add to our life—we usually want the item because we feel it will enhance our lives! Finally, most of us never consider that our purchases reveal our hearts and can change them.

Yet throughout this chapter, Jesus encourages us to be “rich toward God,” and “seek his kingdom.” These aren’t abstract truths in context. Instead, they are Jesus’ description of the person who generously gives to those in need. It is in generosity that we seek the kingdom; it is in generosity that we become rich toward God. As Jesus said, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

I assume that this statement was as radical in the 1st Century as it is now. It cuts against all of our basic patterns of life, asking of us something that seems outlandish, impossible, and unwise. Most of us probably cannot imagine how we might begin to follow Jesus in this. (The short answer is, “one step at a time, as the Spirit prompts you.”)

But the promises of Jesus stand. You are deeply valuable to the Father, and he will take care of you. All that his children need will be provided to them. We don’t need to be anxious about money or hoard it to protect ourselves, because true treasure is only in heaven. When we begin to trust this, we can give freely to others.

Steven+