JESUS, MONEY & the WORLD
This Lent I have been reading a small book on Christian principles for handling money. We may think ‘But I’m not wealthy and I’m certainly not rich’. When, however, we compare levels of wealth around the world, we discover that we are rich when judged against the rest of the world. An annual income of five thousand pounds places us in the richest 14% of the world’s population; whilst an annual income of twenty six thousand pounds places us in the top 1% of the world’s population. It is true that the cost of living is much higher here in the West, but that is very often because we spend on things that most people in the world would regard as luxury and not essential. Most of us have disposable income left after paying for food, shelter and clothing, and so in comparative terms we are still wealthy.
What we do with that wealth is a spiritual question and the booklet (called ‘The Money Revolution’ by John Preston) sets out 5 spiritual principles for Christians handling money.
Much of the teaching of Jesus - whether his moral and ethical challenges or his invitation to call God ‘our Father’ - is revolutionary. If we really turn to Christ and commit our lives to following the way of Jesus, then our lives will be turned around and upside down. When Jesus begins to transform our lives, every part is affected and this includes our attitudes to money and wealth. ‘The Money Revolution’ (applying Christian principles to handling your money) by John Preston, seeks to help ordinary followers of Jesus to see money as part of a much bigger picture.
There are over 2,300 verses in Scripture on money, wealth and possessions and, because God has made us as physical beings in a material world, these things are neutral. It is how we use and view wealth that is important. John Preston looks at the Bible and draws from it five principles to guide us.
Principle 1. Everything belongs to God.
All we have comes from God ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.’ Psalm 24:1 and He has entrusted us as stewards to look after His wealth, ‘Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful’. 1 Cor 4:2. God has graciously entrusted His creation and all that we have to us, and He expects us to be wise and diligent in how we handle these gifts. This is the foundation principle from which the other four flow.
Principle 2. Active Stewardship.
We need to be active in our care of the resources with which God has provided us. Whilst we must avoid the love of money, we should not neglect it either. Making effective use of our resources requires time and attention. It is all too easy to spend money, but making sure that we spend it wisely can be far harder.
Principle 3. Live within your resources.
Each of us should seek to live within our resources. Our lifestyle should take account of spending, credit and debt. At the most basic, if we can ensure that our income is greater than our cost of living, then we can generate resources for furthering God’s mission in the world.
Principle 4. Build up treasure in heaven.
We should be making building treasures in heaven our priority rather than amassing wealth here on earth. The need for saving, insurance and pensions can be balanced against our support for God’s work here in the world.
Principle 5. Give generously.
The final principle comes out of our faith and the other financial building blocks. God calls us to be generous because, in giving to others, we have the opportunity to reflect something of God’s nature. God has given generously to us and in our giving we both reflect His life, and His love is extended – whether directly as we show hospitality or care, or indirectly through resourcing others to carry out God’s work through the local church or other organisations.
The Money Revolution
Jesus calls us to gain a fresh perspective (God’s perspective) on life and priorities. These five principles can help us reassess how everything fits together – saving and spending; giving and lifestyle. If all Christians in this country were able to apply these principles the additional amount of money released has been estimated as around one thousand million pounds per year for charitable work.
What if?
This could mean:
* 200 million pounds on 10,000 more church-based community workers to work with the old, disadvantaged, children and young people.
* 400 million pounds (more than the current combined income of Christian Aid, CAFOD, Oxfam, World Vision and Tearfund) on fighting ill health and poverty.
* 200 million pounds on new projects to help refugees, debt counselling, community centres etc.
* 200 million pounds on local church based mission.
Certainly food for thought and a challenge to take action.
© Bramshott & Liphook Parochial Church Council 2007