For There Your Heart Will Be Also
One of the stereotypes in our culture of being a pastor (along with being a bumbling idiot and mildly socially-awkward) is that pastors are always talking about money. A stereotype, yes; but, unfortunately, it is also an occupational hazard. It is hard not to talk about money as a pastor. As a matter of fact, I don’t think you can be a faithful pastor and not talk about it. And that, simply, is because money factors heavily in the Bible. If we are to teach the Bible, we are going to have to talk about money.
It is almost a cliché to point out that Jesus spoke a lot about money. In eleven of His 35+ parables, Jesus is talking about things of financial value. More verses in the Gospels address money than heaven and hell combined. Wealth (and poverty) accent much of what He said and taught. Stated this way, it seems like Jesus was always talking about economics.
But, I’m not sure that’s the way we should think about it.
Did Jesus talk a lot about money? Yes. Does He care about our use, and view, of money? Goodness, yes. But, His focus is mostly elsewhere, and that is where our focus should be as well.
Overwhelmingly, Jesus talks about money as an illustration or example to support and back-up His teachings. Like us today, people in the ancient near-east earned, used, and needed money (or similar) for their everyday living. Like us today, acquiring the necessary funds was a constant concern. And, like us today, the ancient pursuit of wealth could easily lead one down a sinful and broken path. Therefore, like preachers today, economic life is an easy source of illustrations, metaphors, and analogies. But, as in Jesus’ teaching, the focus needs to be clarified.
Predominantly, Jesus’ teaching focused on the Kingdom of God. His attention, and where He wanted His disciples’ attention, was on the coming of the Kingdom in Christ Jesus, the faith of those who are Kingdom citizens, and the salvation they experience. Money factors so heavily in Jesus’ teachings, not because it will be prominent in the Kingdom; but because the value, attention, and dedication we so readily put into our financial lives parallels so well the faithful Christian’s desire for God’s Kingdom. Or, alternatively, the temporal character of earthly finances contrasts so clearly with the eternal value of our life in Christ. In either case, the prevalence of our attention on money helps bring the illustration alive—it is easy to relate to, and to appreciate.
Of course, another great reason why money and financial concerns seem so frequently mentioned in Scripture is because they are a source of great temptation for many believers. Paul warns Timothy of those who “desire to be rich”, and that the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:9f). Greed blocks love (Romans 13:9), breeds death, gives birth to lying, strife, even murder (Romans 13:9; 2 Peter 2:3; Proverbs 28:25; James 4:2).
And why is that? Because this temptation, like all temptations, strike at our very relationship with God Himself. We speak of God as sufficient for all things, but do we believe as well that God will satisfy us with all things? What good is being filled (i.e., sufficient) if not satisfied? Is it possible that God would give us things, but not satisfy us? Even stating it this way betrays the folly in such a thought! Surely, our God, the One who loves us so much to bring such a costly salvation, surely such a God will not only fill us, but will fully satisfy us! Praise be our God!
As you prepare for worship this Sunday, please read Matthew 13:44-46.
1. One key principle of interpreting parables is to remember
that they largely have one main point. Not every element in the story has a
corresponding “reality” in the real world. So… what is the main point of each
of the parables?
2. What is the Kingdom of Heaven? What defines it? Why is it
important?
3. Why would there be treasure hidden in a field? And, what
are the possible ways one could find it?
4. Why would someone sell all they had for a pearl? What is
the merchant’s motivation in the second parable?
5. The lust of the eyes is the temptation to have/possess.
How do these parables speak to that temptation?
