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It's OK to talk about money
At this month’s vestry meeting we spoke about stewardship and fundraising, as it is the season for such things. I made the observation that while we talk about time, talent and treasure, what we really mean is treasure - but we are so afraid to talk about money that we throw in time and talent to make it more palatable. But we aren’t asking people to make pledges of time and talent. Not talking about money hasn’t done the church any favors. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with money; it’s a tool, a means to an end, and Jesus warns us not to be attached to it-- not to pretend we don’t need it. Jesus’ ministry depended on the generosity of his followers. In the eighth chapter of Luke’s Gospel we hear that, “Jesus was traveling from town to town and village to village, telling everyone the good news that the Kingdom of God was near. The twelve disciples were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene, because she was from Magdala) had seven demons cast out of her; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household, Susanna, and many others. These women supported Jesus and his disciples from their own resources - which may have included (but weren’t limited to) food, clothing, money, and wine.”
Jesus didn’t tell these women to follow him, nor did he command that they give him or anyone else their possessions. They supported and followed Jesus out of gratitude and joy. Jesus never condemns wealth per se; he condemns attachment to it and prioritizing it over people. It’s ok to talk about money; we shouldn’t dread fundraising, but rather we should be glad that we are able to support something larger than ourselves. Mary, Joanna and Susanna supported Jesus and his disciples not out of guilt or for reward, but because they had received his grace and had been healed by him. We are all recipients of his grace, and when we allow ourselves, his love will heal our souls. I don’t know anyone who is afraid to talk about hammers, saws or chisels; if we stop viewing money as an end and rather see it as a tool to further the kingdom, eventually we will be able to talk about with the same ease with which we discuss the merits of claw verses ball-peen hammers. Our focus will be on Christ and his people - which is where it is meant to be.
The Rev. Jason Shelby
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