Values: Wise Use of Money: Luke 16: 9-15

Wed, 5 May 2010 09:04:10 -0500

“He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in that which is greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little, is unjust also in that which is greater.”

The Bible contains more than 2,000 references to money, not because it is the root of all evil, but because the misuse of money is the root of all evil.

Studies show the great majority of married couples talk about money at least once a week. Often, these discussions become heated arguments about borrowing, overspending, saving, risky investments or loaning money to kids. Money is the number one source of spousal conflict and a leading factor in divorce.

Since the average household earns about $47,000 annually, there are 47,000 opportunities for either spouse to misuse it in what can amount to “financial infidelity.” When that occurs, it is often due to the fact that one or both spouses do not appreciate the importance of being “faithful in a very little thing.”

Small, impulsive purchases add up fast, especially when both spouses are “shopaholics.” Once couples start tracking their spending, many are surprised at how much they squander on unplanned, impulsive purchases. Budgeting can take considerable effort at first, but as the Good Book reminds us:

“The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.” (Proverbs 21:5)

To illustrate how small expenses can make a big difference in your household budget, let’s examine the impact of a few discretionary purchases, none of which amounts to much by itself. We’ll assume that, you avoided these expenses and saved the money at 5% for 10 years:

– Skipping three Starbucks' java chip Frappuccinos and gourmet muffins a week saves $14,716.
– Brown bagging your lunch saves $17,295.
– Skipping a weekly TGIF drink at the local pub saves $2,453.
– Quitting a pack-a-day habit saves $11,005.
– Avoiding non-networked ATMs once a week saves $1,308.

The point is, within ten years, at 5% interest, these “minor” savings can add up to a whopping $46,777 - - essentially equivalent to one year’s household income.

Of course, added savings can be achieved by trimming other discretionary expenses such as premium cable service, caller ID, call waiting, etc. And for really big savings, couples can switch from a gas guzzling SUV getting 12 miles per gallon to a sedan getting 28 miles per gallon. On a 40-mile week day round trip commute, the 10-year savings on gasoline (at, say, $2.75 a gallon) amount to another $13,640 plus interest.

Keep in mind that, if these savings are invested in your company’s 401(k) plan, matching funds from your employer could effectively double your savings. All this bounty from being “faithful in a very little thing.”

In Luke 16: 9-115, Jesus warns us that, “If then you have not been faithful in the unjust mammon; who will trust you with that which is the true?” if we are not trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, we will not be entrusted with true riches. Good stewardship calls for us to spend our money wisely.

The Poverty of Riches: Mark 10: 17-27

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:58:16 -0500

“How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God!”

Saint Mark tells us that upon hearing Jesus' words, the young rich man's face fell "and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions." He just couldn't let go of what he owned; or, more properly, what owned him. The bigger the bankroll, the tighter the rubber band.

Jesus wasn't calling the rich young man to a life of poverty for the sake of being impoverished - - there is no merit in simply being poor. Not every pauper is a saint nor is every saint a pauper. That is not the point of today's Gospel message.

Jesus was calling the rich man to examine his values and embrace a life of generosity. He was saying that, when we give freely, we free ourselves of the need for more and more. He was saying that our self-worth is not measured by our valuables, but by our values.

The attitude of Jesus toward money is best expressed in the Lord's Prayer when He instructs us to pray for "our daily bread." In other words, Jesus preached a life of moderation in which our basic needs are met by a loving, provident God.

Studies show that 80 percent of us consider ourselves middle class, neither rich nor poor. In other words, we believe we are living a life of moderation. But are we?

Rampant consumerism has led many families to amass crushing debt burdens in pursuit of the good life. Yet, as MasterCard readily acknowledges in its advertising, "There are somethings that money can't buy." One of them is the peace of mind and contentment enjoyed by those who give freely in the certain belief that God will meet their daily needs.

In preaching moderation, Jesus was asking us to live within our means. For many households, that means scaling back on spending. Nearly 20 percent of American families say they are in financial trouble and, more often than not, it is due to confusing their needs and their wants. It's an easy mistake to make in a culture of consumerism.

Thrift is a precursor to generosity. We can't give what we don't have. If we have been over-spending, we have to change our standard of living in order to change our standard of giving. But, there is no alternative. As stewards of the Lord, we will one day be called to make an accounting of how we have used our money and possessions.

In giving freely, we will come to discover how truly blessed we are.

Christian Values

Values: Wise Use of Money: Luke 16: 9-15

The Poverty of Riches: Mark 10: 17-27