“You cannot serve God and wealth.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Manifesto, Jesus Sayings, Matthew 6, Money, Treasure, Wealth

The Jesus Manifest continues (Matthew 5-7). This is a critical teaching of Jesus. What should I think about money and wealth? I need to get clear on this. Jesus is!

Who will I serve? It is a stunning question. Jesus now explains that behind the choice between two treasures (where I lay them up) and two visions (where I fix my eyes) there lies the still more basic choice between two masters (whom I am going to serve).

It is a choice between God and mammon, that is between the living Creator himself and any object of our my creation I term ‘money’ (‘mammon’ being the transliteration of an Aramaic word for wealth). For I cannot serve both.

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“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” ~Jesus

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Jesus Manifesto, Jesus Sayings, John 6, Matthew 6, Money, Wealth

The backdrop to this is the feeding of the five thousand. It is a truly stunning miracle. Jesus was moved not to allow the crowd to go hungry. Jesus took care of their physical needs since they couldn’t afford to take them out for a meal. They were very impressed.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” ~Jesus | John 6:26-27

Everything Jesus had to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the poor, the needy and giving

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Giving, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Money, Needy, Poor, Poverty, Prosperity, Wealth

Jesus had a lot to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the poor, the needy and giving. Here is a compilation of everything I have found. It is worth reading this to get a sense of what Jesus thinks and what he requires of us.

There is a lot of confusion among the followers of Jesus about much of this. When you read it all, you will get a sense of the mind of Jesus. My suggestion is to read through this more than once. You may want to read it once a week for a while. What Jesus tells us needs to be thoroughly absorbed. This is foundational to the radical world Jesus wants us to be a part of.

One question to seriously ask is “Did Jesus really mean all of this?”

The second question that follows is “Knowing what I now know, what should I do?”

“Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.” ~King Solomon

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, King Solomon, Money, Poor, Poverty, Proverbs 8, Rich, Wealth, Wise Sayings

Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money,
    and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth;
nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.” ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 8:10-11 (The Message)

There is a lot of confusion among followers of Jesus about money, wealth, poverty, riches and what God wants for us. This isn’t intended to be an indictment about prosperity ministries but it is intended to offer caution both from King Solomon and most importantly, Jesus.

What is most important? King Solomon makes it clear that wisdom is more important than money. This from a man who was one of the wealthiest of his time. King Solomon suggest spending our time focused on wisdom and not so much on money, careers and wealth.

“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.” ~Jesus

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Enemy, Evil, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 6, Money, Trust

Part of the way Jesus taught the Disciples was to send them out periodically to do the job. We call it OJT now.

• What was important about the assignment? Jesus gave them power and authority. What they needed to learn is that this is all about Jesus. The power and authority is over evil. I must remember I have an enemy.
• Did they need special equipment? Not at all. All they needed was Jesus. I must remember that is all I need. Nothing else.
• What about the financing of the mission? Ha! Ha Ha! I don’t need much to talk about Jesus and to spread the message with joyful urgency that life can be radically different.
• Where should they stay? The cheapest place they could find, many times in the homes of the faithful.
• When should they leave? When they aren’t welcome or listened to.
• What was God’s goal? Wow! They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:

“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.

“And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.

“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”

Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Source: Mark 6:7-13

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself!” ~King Solomon

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God's Goal, Jesus, King Solomon, Money, Wealth, Wise Sayings

I have a goal. I have a plan. I have dreams. They involve money.

What does wisdom say about that?

• What is my goal for wealth? I am overwhelmed with messages about wealth and retirement. They are everywhere I turn. Jesus says “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Luke 12:33-34)
• Am I willing to wear myself out to get it? Trying to get wealthy will wear me out. There just enough hours in the day and there is always more to do.
• Do I understand that wealth is fleeting? Jesus says “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
• What is God’s goal? God’s goal for me is focus on Jesus and being a good citizen of the Kingdom of God. God wants me to love. God wants me to use my money to be generous to others.

“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich;
    restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;
    wealth sprouts wings
    and flies off into the wild blue yonder.” ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 23:4-5

Money

“All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” ~Jesus

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Giving, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 21, Money

Jesus is looking. Jesus is going to challenge me. Am I ready?

• What will I give? Jesus is looking. Jesus knows what is going on. His message to me will be on target. No general suppositions on his part.
• Will I give a little? It isn’t that difficult to give. In America, in particular, we have a culture of philanthropy and giving. It is safe to assume it will only be a little of what I can afford. I could do more. I could do a lot more!
• Will I give it all? Will I give when I can’t afford it? That is the question today. Jesus has something he wants me to do. Will I do it?

Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Source: Luke 21:1-4

"Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money." ~~Apostle Paul

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1 Timothy 6, Apostle Paul Sayings, Extravagant, Jesus, Messiah, Money, Rich

I want to go after God. He is the rich one, not me. He can pile it on.

Jesus, the Messiah, doesn’t hold back. Like Jesus, I want to be extravagantly generous. What I have is really nothing compared to Him. He is the one. What a great new plan He is executing.

I need to be intentional about investing my heart and life in what truly matters.

I need to obsess about God’s desires and not my desires for money.

I need to go after God.

I need to pursue treasures that last.

Here is the plan:

• Go after God
• Do good every day
• Be rich in helping others
• Be extravagantly generous

Now that is a good plan.

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG

"A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst." ~~King Solomon

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Jesus, Money, Proverbs 11, Solomon, Wealth, Wise Sayings

Money

I sometimes think that money will save me. If I get in a tight spot, I know I can whip out my credit cards. I used to trust in my 401k.

God was willing to  give King Solomon anything he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom. Despite his wealth as King, he knew that money isn’t the answer.

God is the answer. Jesus will see me through when everything falls apart. It is interesting that on our money it says “In God we trust”.

Amen.

A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:4)

“All things are possible with God.” ~Jesus

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God is God, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 10, Money, Trust

Money

Jesus had been talking with a rich man about some difficult things. He wasn’t willing to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. He left a very sad man.

Jesus commented about how hard it is for the rich to really get into God’s world. The disciples were stunned and were wondering how anyone could get in. All things are possible with God is the simple but profound answer.

May I see God’s power at every turn. God is God. All things are possible with him.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with  God; all things are possible with God.

Source: Mark 10:27

"Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot." ~~King David

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Jesus, King David Sayings, Money, Psalm 119, Wisdom, Wise Sayings

Wisdom

King David knew what was important in life. His passion was for God’s word. Nothing delighted him more that to hear what God had to say. He devoted himself to listening. He didn’t care about wealth, just obeying God.

May I long for what God is saying today. May I listen to God’s wisdom and his direction for me. May I obey God and do what he wants.

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.

 ~~King David (Psalm 119:34 The Message) 

"Money just draws flies." ~~ Mahalia Jackson

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Mahalia Jackson, Money

Money

There is one thing for sure. If you have money, it is “attractive” to others. They will seek you out. You will have no lack of “friends”.

But it doesn’t last. We all come to an end at some point and we know “we can’t take it with us.”

Jesus challenges us to build up our treasure in heaven. We are going to live eternally. With or without our God.

“Money just draws flies.”  ~~ Mahalia Jackson

“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” ~Bob Hope

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Bank, Bob Hope, Money

Common sense

Some things are so true the are just plain funny.

Now think about it.

A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it. Bob Hope

 

“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to want to take somebody else’s money.” ~~Thomas Sowell

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Greed, Money, Thomas Sowell

Dr. Thomas Sowell

This rings true. Generosity should be through the act of individuals. It always serves the needs of the deserving better that way I think.

“I have never understood why it is ‘greed’ to want to keep the money you’ve earned, but not greed to want to want to take somebody else’s money.” ~~Thomas Sowell

 

“Givers for God disarm the power of money.” -R. Kent Hughes

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Giving, Money, R. Kent Hughes, Wealth

Money

God loves a cheerful giver. God’s goal for us is that we use the financial gifts Jesus has given us to serve God’s World (Kingdom).

God doesn’t want us to abandon wealth. Jesus challenges us to use the wealth God has given us for God.

“The key to liberation from the power of materialism is not an exodus from culture – abandoning Wall Street or leaving the wealth of the nation to others – but the grace of giving… Givers for God disarm the power of money. They invite God’s grace to flow through them.” ― R. Kent Hughes

"All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?" ~~Jesus

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Jesus Sayings, Matthew, Matthew 6, Money, Time

Jesus knows how to ask questions. He forces us to get clear. What is important?

Perhaps the question is rhetorical but it is worth an answer. So ask yourself. Do you think it makes much of a difference (in God’s world)?

Jesus knows, directly from God, what is important. It isn’t our fashion sense. It isn’t the kind of car we drive. It isn’t how well our house is decorated. It isn’t how well we eat.

Jesus challenges us to get our priorities in line with God and His government.

Does our heart burn with love for God?

Do we love everyone?

Do we have a heart for God?

Everything that isn’t focused on Him, what He wants and loving others is a waste of time and money. Period.

“All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?” ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:27-29 The Message)

Panic is greed’s cousin. Will we be content with godliness?

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1 Timothy 6, Evil, Faith, Godliness, Greed, Money, Rich

Panic over money is greed’s cousin. Am I content with what I have? Do I have enough to eat and clothes? Is there a good roof over my head? When I panic over something I have lost, I have stared greed in the face. Panic shows that I am not content with what I have.

God’s goal for us is clear. His desire for us is godliness. That is what matters for eternity. What “we have” in terms of riches is of no value to God.

Godliness is the mission. All else pales in comparison. What will I leave this world with? Not money. Only my love of God matters.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

May I love God and be content.

May I understand the value of godliness.