Luke 16: 1-13
To whom do we owe our allegiance?
You cannot serve God and ‘wealth’
Bah. If ever there was a misleading Biblical translation, that’s it. It’s bad enough when the translated phrase reads ‘You cannot serve God and money’. Neither of those words conveys the real meaning behind Jesus’ teaching.
Wealth isn’t about possessions – as John Ruskin said,
“There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest numbers of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest, who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others.”
We might not have a massive bank balance – but we have God’s creation around us, we have unique gifts, we have a role in God’s plan, and we have the wealth of life itself, giving us the ability to live it in love and service of others. In using our wealth, we are not in opposition, but serving alongside our God. Wealth is a blessing – at least it is when properly understood.
How about Money? Not inherently a bad thing. We can use money for good – it provides a vehicle for the economic growth that allows society to function. It is not evil – it is the love of money that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)
Jesus said ‘I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into their eternal homes.’ Much good will it do you – for their homes are the gates of Hell.