“As we got richer and richer, evangelicals chose to spend more and more on themselves and give a smaller and smaller percentage to the church.” Lamin Sanneh
“Every day, the church is becoming more like the world it allegedly seeks to change.” George Barna
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Jesus Christ
If you, like me, are a follower of Jesus Christ, the above quotes should make you squirm. Whereas Jesus expects us to be radically different than those around us, we have allowed ourselves to become indistinguishable. I write this post as much to myself as to you: I am a fellow traveler in this journey; one who, like the church Barna describes, has drifted far too far into the world I would like to see changed. Yet I want to be different. Don’t you?
Jesus did not mince words; we must choose to love God while squashing the perpetual temptation to put money on the throne. In today’s world, this is a challenge to a radical life style.
Hopefully, these ideas can help.
Have a regular prayer time.
I am not talking about praying over a meal or even talking to God as you drive to work. These prayers are fine, but loving God means committing your time to Him. Set aside some time every day just for Him. He would love for you to do so.
Serve others.
The second greatest commandment (after loving God) is to love others. Do you serve your family? Do you serve your co-workers (even your subordinates)? Do you check on the widow who lives down the street? Do you volunteer to mentor a single parent child?
Notice that I haven’t said a word about money so far. Why? Because the best way to NOT love money is to proactively love God. As Jesus said, we can’t love both.
Now: some money tips that will help us love God:
Be a giver.
Why do I emphasize giving? Because doing so is the antidote for loving money. God is the ultimate giver (He gave his only son). The more we develop a giver’s heart, the more we become like God and demonstrate our love for him.
Plan to increase your giving for the rest of your life.
This isn’t about tithing, nor is it about legalism; it is about systematically ensuring that we never become complacent (see opening quote above). Some of you struggle to give anything at all while others are stuck at 10%. Why not set a goal of giving a greater percentage annually for the rest of your life? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to give 30% or 50% or 70%? After all, this is about loving God; this is radical and this is about NOT being like everyone else.
Plan to give spontaneously
Budget a set amount to keep on hand to be able to bless others as needs arise. Jan and I keep a “Bless envelope” on hand packed with cash ready to give. This is a fun, grass roots, way to keep our giving real.
Down size your house
This isn’t, of course, for everyone, but it is a valid consideration if you still have that five bedroom house after all of your children have moved out. If you decide to keep that house, consider letting a college student or a single parent live with you rent free. I realize “no one” does such things, but that is the point.
Stay Accountable
Do you know others who are striving to radically love Jesus? Meet with them regularly to encourage each other, share ideas and give testimonies of ways that have worked. Nothing motivates more than hearing from someone else who has actually done what you are considering.
Automate your finances
Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “lead us not into temptation.” Keeping money easily accessible is, for some, a temptation. We keep a small buffer balance in our regular checking account, then have every dollar above that buffer amount automatically transferred to a less accessible account.
Set a maximum limit for how much you keep. Give the rest away.
Change your thinking from how much you give to how much you will keep. This is not a vow of poverty nor should it be a time for imprudence. But, unless you set a cap, you will drift to higher and higher standards of living without realizing it. Is this not what everyone around you does? Be radical, set that cap, and you will start viewing those pay raises as opportunities to give more. Again, a plan to love God instead of money.
I hope these few thoughts will motivate you to love money less and love God more.
Do you think these ideas are too radical? What other ideas do you have?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I think these ideas are certainly on the right track, Joe. I can’t see how our lives will look anything but radical if we truly seek to follow Jesus’ teachings. The standards and norms of His kingdom just don’t make sense if judged by the standards and norms of the world’s kingdoms.
I think this article may be missing a certain mark. I don’t know anyone who actually loves money – rather, they are fearful that without it, they will lose control over their lives. On the same side of the coin, they beleive that without money, others will have control over them. I see money as a way to protect my family–and make sure I take care of them in a way that I should, as a parent. Send my son to college (which takes a great deal of money), pay the bills (again, taking a whole lot of money)…etc. Having the perseverance to do what is necessary so we can take care of our families is not the same as loving money. It is taking responsibility, and loving those around us to take care of them.
@Paul,
Good point. If we aren’t radically different than the world around us, something is wrong.
@Kurt,
Wow! A Shakespearean quote! And so true. Like chameleons, we tend to blend into our environment. Wisdom (and Shakespeare) would challenge us to intentionally seek those who will lift us up, not drag us down. At the same time, we should be radical enough to inspire others.
@Derek,
Thank you! I am greatly encouraged by your comment, and appreciate your linking to this post.
@Lea,
I agree with your statement, “Having the perseverance to do what is necessary so we can take care of our families is not the same as loving money. It is taking responsibility, and loving those around us to take care of them.”
God expects us to use money responsibly. But there IS such a thing as loving money, or Jesus would not have warned us not to do so. Perhaps those whom you refer to as being fearful without money, or losing control over their lives without money have too much dependence on money.
Jesus said, ” Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Mat 6:31-34
I am not being flippant and I do not say that not worrying is an easy thing. But worry and anxiety may be symptoms of a higher allegiance to money (which can fail us) than God (who never will).
Absolutely true post! This is one way the Holy Spirit has showed me in the past to operate my finances and it’s such a blessing. Thank you for the encouragement!
I’m reposting this to the blog on my business site for my clients to see!
Thanks Joshua! I’m hoping it will be an inspiration for your clients.
this is outstanding – truly outstanding – tweeting this and liking it on facebook
@Ian,
Thanks!
Love the article. I think it is really important to give financially, I’ve been trying to increase the amounts I give even in tough times. I think it strengthens my faith when I give just a little more than I can. I also think giving my time is just as important, that is something I need to work on more this year.
God Bless
Wonderful and inspiring. I am currently exploring this subject but it can be hard as I am married to a non-Christian. Keep up the great work!
Let us all remember that giving is more important than having and in order for us to give more, we need to feel the desire to help or to give.
Once we love God more than all the other things we realize the true happiness of life, besides all the other things that God will provide day by day.
Very good article.
Excellent article! Reading the comments was refreshing to me because I concur wholeheartedly with them.