From Our Minister: May 2007

“No one can serve two masters;
for a slave will either hate the one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Matthew 6:24 (NRSV)

Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the LORD’S and all that is in it; the world and all those who live in it.”

What a radical concept—everything we think that we own actually belongs to God!

Your reaction to this last sentence reveals a lot.

Do you agree that everything you have belongs to God? Does the thought of God owning your wealth bother you or make you a bit uncomfortable? God says that it’s all His.

Now, this does not mean that He hasn’t entrusted you with considerable resources to use as His representative or steward. Actually, this is exactly what He has done. He has given each of us an array of talents, resources and time that He expects us to use here on earth as He would. While we have authority and responsibility, there has not been a transfer of ownership.

Jesus, on more than one occasion, reminded the people that they would give an accounting for what they had done with this stewardship.

This brings us to the quotation from Jesus in the sidebar: “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

Which do we love? To which are we devoted?

If you had to choose … Actually, we are choosing—everyday, every minute. Who is your master?
I do not believe that any of us would intentionally choose to reject the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ for worldly wealth. It would be insane to choose with such shortsightedness. Yet, I fear that some do this very thing.

There can be great joy in giving and managing God’s resources during our lives here on earth. I hope you’ll consider participating in our spring Home Discussion Groups as we examine The Treasure Principle. At the very least, read the book!

As our Trustees embark on a campaign to increase our annual pledging, I strongly encourage you to give generously and experience just how good God is. Choose Him as your master. He loves—and shows His love to—a cheerful giver!