Never Say Never, Jesus Certainly Didn't

​I remember, before going to seminary, while working at a church in the Twin Cities area, thinking… “If I ever become a pastor, I will never talk about money.” After all, it is way more fun to talk about Jesus walking on water or feeding five thousand people than talking about church finances and red-numbered budgets.  At the time, it felt like all the church leadership did was talk about the need of money for different reasons and projects. That may not have been reality, but it was my perception in that moment.  I was working in the church myself and it felt very off-putting. I could only imagine the consensus of the membership was similar.  So naturally, I naively decided that if it were me in the pulpit, I would do it differently. I would never talk about money. Keep the cash out of the sermon. Talk about love, grace, and all that pleasurable (not off-putting) stuff.  Even to this day, I do try to limit the amount of time we talk about money, but the reality is that Jesus spends more time talking about money and treasures than any other topic aside from the Kingdom of Heaven.  What does this tell me? If such a topic is important enough for Jesus to talk about it, then apparently, we in His church, should continue this conversation.   To be sure, we definitely want to temper our discussions and not overdo it. And we definitely do not want to use guilt or manipulation. Money is never the most important thing (that would be the Great Commission of last week’s blog), but it is a needed thing. Necessary to keep the church open, to bless others in the community, etc.
 
Hopefully, by now you have received the 2024 Stewardship Letter & Update from this Monday.  Feel free to reach out if you missed it, or you want to re-read my incredibly eloquent words. In light of all this, I want to share with you this devotion below (blue italics) that came across my desk many months ago. It is very relevant to this topic and equally convicting. It was convicting to me when I first read it.  Why? Because it tells me that the how I handle the material gifts of this world, can by symptomatic and quite revealing in regard to my relationship with the Lord. After I have paid for all the piano lessons, the softball registration, and the private baseball lessons… How do I consider my giving to the Lord? Am I giving Him my first fruits or barely what is left over? Is the Lord’s work a priority for me or is it not?  Check it out:
 
I’ve been thinking about some words from Jesus. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:32-34).

I have to admit, that last sentence is one I’ve often misunderstood. I’ve usually thought, “Where your heart is, there your treasure will be.” But that’s not what Jesus says. He says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” In other words, Jesus encourages you to look at where you put your money. That’s how you can tell what’s really in your heart. We can say what we want about what we believe and value, but what you spend your money on is a clear indication of where your heart really is.

So where is your treasure? I don’t want to hear that question. I bet you don’t want to hear that question either. Why? Because we love money, and we love things, and we love the things we do with money. And we like to think that my money is separate from my relationship with God. “Don’t talk about money at church!” Except Jesus tells us that the opposite is true. My use of God’s money tells a lot about my relationship with God. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He’s right.

What’s amazing is that God applies that same statement to himself. Where his treasure is, there is his heart too. So where is God’s treasure? He tells you, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” God has an enormous chest of treasures – love, grace, forgiveness, blessings, the kingdom of heaven. What has he done with them? He has given them to us through Jesus our Savior. God has given you his treasure, and where God’s treasure is, there his heart is also – with you! What more could God give? God loves you more than anything in the world!

So where is your treasure? There your heart will be too.
 
So, what will this mean for YOU?  What will this mean for the membership of our church?
Thank you for carefully and prayerfully considering this topic—as unpopular and not-fun as it may be. 😉
 
“Stewardship is not about raising money; it’s about raising Christians who willingly trust God.” (Unknown)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” (Calvin Coolidge)