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A Few Words from Pastor Bryan
The Primary “Problem” With Money In The Bible
I’ve been thinking a lot about material wealth recently. About money and "abundance" in general. Still with me? See--it's a powerful topic. It attracts people AND turns people off as few things do. Obviously a lot of energy at stake here!
I don’t mention money all that regularly in my sermons, but I probably need to more often. Money and material possessions are the second most discussed topics in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Second in the Hebrew Scriptures only to idolatry, and second in the New Testament only to the Kingdom of God. How we deal with money and possessions has A LOT to say about who we are spiritually, whether we like to admit that or not. Many of us do our best to just avoid the whole topic. I hope you'll read the rest of this.
Oh don’t worry… You know I’m not into guilt-tripping or shaming or “shoulding” or being overly simplistic about anything. And I actually think you’d be amazed at how meaningful and soulful teachings about money in the Bible can be. I think I’m going to write a book before too long in which I’ll share my own “money journey” as a follower of Jesus. It’s been quite a wild ride and in some ways it’s more interesting for me now than ever.
But here’s my point today. One of the reasons I’ve been thinking a lot about money recently is because of the role it has played for a while in our political processes, especially since the 2010 "Citizen's United" Supreme Court ruling allowed unlimited and unchecked dark money into political campaigns. I've also been thinking a lot about the role money played in our recent elections and in the direction our country is now heading.
To be blunt, one of my greatest concern at this point is what the circle of billionaires at the center of the upcoming Trump administration—persons such as Elon Musk and tech billionaire Peter Theil (who single-handedly backed J.D. Vance into the vice presidential nomination) have in mind now that they have purchased (Musk broke all records for campaign contributions—well over 200 million) what amounts to unchecked access to the most significant levers of political power available in our country.
Don't worry--I'm not going off on a political rant. I’m just stating the obvious—that the majority of the American voting public obviously wanted these extremely successful capitalist businessmen to have a major influence on the direction our nation is about to take at this critical moment in human history.
So to the Bible and money. I’ve studied this topic a lot, and my own views have evolved over the years. The Bible doesn’t have only one message about money and material wealth. There are many, and some of them at least seem to be in tension with each other. And while our sacred texts very clearly condemn unjust business practices and corruption and greed and lust for power and making an idol or a false god out of money, it does not in any way directly suggest that being wealthy is in and of itself “sinful.” If fact there are plenty of verses that suggest material wealth can sometimes be understood as a blessing from God.
So what’s the problem? Well after about 50 years now of searching and reflecting, I think it really all comes down to this.
The only problem with huge amounts of money—way more than one “needs” by any standard (assuming the money was made or received justly) from a biblical perspective—is having it and the power that goes with it-- while also being completely disconnected from the needs of those who do not have enough, or from the needs and well-being of the common good. Period. That’s when having lots of money is a problem—when it is compounded and stockpiled and invested COMPLETELY APART from connection to and compassion for the needs of others, and particularly those most marginalized and exploited and vulnerable. This is the problem at the heart of Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 25: 31-46. Or his teaching about “the rich man and Lazarus” in Luke 16:19-31, or the parable of the farmer who had a great year in Luke 12. In fact just about all of Luke 12 deals with money and resources. The last verse of the chapter is often quoted. It says, “To whom much is given, much shall be required.” Yes. Having access to abundance (of all kinds) carries responsibilities according to Scripture.
And by the way, this is one of the reasons why giving some of our own money away to people and organizations (like our church but countless other places as well) that express compassion and commitment to the well-being of everyone is so important. Okay enough of that.
I’ve read and researched a bunch about Elon Musk and Peter Theil and some of the other extremely wealthy people who will now be playing a more direct role in our culture and national policies than ever. They are obviously brilliant in their own domains. They know how to start and run companies that are wildly profitable. Let's give them credit where credit is obviously due. And while I have not heard of any, perhaps they have all kinds of beautiful philanthropic efforts going on that they humbly and nobly just keep concealed for their own reasons. Who knows.
But they are also “social philosophers” of sorts with some very strong feelings about who we should be as a people, and who should be allowed to live among us and with us and why. They want to shape who we are culturally and morally. They want to have power to decide who has access to communication platforms on the internet. They want to have a substantial and influential role regarding our domestic economic priorities and tax structures and our global economic policies and how we generate and use power and resources and energy (especially regarding tech and space and the military) and how we interact with the rest of the world.
My concern is that to date I have not seen any indication that any of their policies or ideas or vision for the future of the country and the world has the well-being of anyone but the upper 1% of income holders in mind. Sure I could be missing something. I hope I am. And I don't have time or space in this format to get into specifics, but I am concerned that their goals and plans are going to only widen the gap between the most wealthy among us and the poorest among us. I am concerned that the cost of making the changes and adjustments that they are calling for will be intentionally downloaded onto everyone other than the wealthiest among us while they increase their own wealth. THAT is contrary to the biblical intention for humanity.
I’m not going to resent anyone for being wealthy. I welcome material prosperity myself more than ever. I would love to take on the challenge of being a faithful steward of vast wealth.
But material wealth that is completely disconnected from the needs of the poor and the well-being of everyone and everything (and the earth and its ecosystems) stands in opposition to the intentions and ultimate unfolding of the Creator of the Universe. As a follower of Jesus, I hope and pray we will all strive as individuals and as communities to stand for personal and national economic policies that reflect our love for all people and all of creation--and that will not be outsourced and paid for by those least able to afford it.
To put all this in a slightly different way, I don't ever want to come up on the wrong side of a "spiritual/economic audit" by the Spirit and Word of God. As one of my increasingly favorite Scriptures says in Galatians 6:7-8;
“Do not be deceived; God will not be mocked, for whatever a person sows, that will the person also reap. For a person who sows to his/her own selfishness (flesh) will from that selfishness reap corruption; but those who sow to the Spirit will reap a life of eternal quality and significance.”
My translation: “Don’t kid yourself. No person or group or nation gets away with being self-centered, ego-driven, and dominating as the expense of others with no regard for the needs of all in the long run. There will be a time of reckoning and accountability. God will ultimately have the last Word on everything, and God is about the eternal Truths of Justice and compassion.”
Fortunately for ALL of us, and not just the 1% (but very much including them too) that very Final Word will always be Love. God's Grace just wreaks havoc on all our cherished notions of meritocracy and privilege. Everyone will be welcomed at the final border.
But in the meantime, let’s remind ourselves as followers of Jesus and his teachings to keep money (personal wealth and the public Trust) as responsibly and compassionately connected to the needs of others as possible. Sure--have plenty and enjoy it. But share it. Because there really is enough for us all to thrive, if everyone thriving is our goal and our commitment.
Prosperity with responsibility and compassion. It's not such a tall order.
Hope to see you in church I this Sunday. If not, have a great Thanksgiving!
Pastor Bryan
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