In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus and the apostles considered money hazardous and helpful. He taught us how to minimize the hazard, and maximize the helpfulness. However, it is important to immediately make clear that money in itself is simply pieces of metal and pieces of paper. And the reason they are of any concern to us at all is that in our culture we have established that these pieces of metal and paper will function as currency. They will represent value. So, money is significant for us simply because we exchange it for what we value. What you do with your money shows what you value with your heart.
According to Luke 12:34, Jesus states that “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In other words, the movement of your money signifies the movement of your heart. Where your money goes, your heart is going. You exchange money for what you value, what you treasure. So by positing that money is hazardous and helpful, it is meant that the pieces of metal and paper that you have in your pocket or purse have the capacity to show that you value things more than God (which is hazardous), or that you value God more than things (which is helpful). The paper is nothing, but its expression of the treasures of your heart is everything.
We must according to Luke 12:31, lay-up spiritual treasures and become rich towards God. “Rich toward God” means using earthly riches to show how much we value God. This is what the prosperous farmer failed to do. And the result was that he was a fool and lost his soul. He could have said something like “God, this is all yours. You have made my fields prosper. Show me how to express with my riches that you are my treasure, and the riches are not.” Such statement would have at least given the impression that his soul was detached. Let God be our all and we will never regret it (Cf. Psalm 119:36).
Bible Passages for Daily Reflection
To be equipped for God’s work, we must study His word (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), reflect on it daily and live. Ensure you share the fruits of your meditation with at least two people.
Sunday: 1 Cor 1:1-31
Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-16
Tuesday: 1 Cor 3:1-23
Wednesday: 1 Cor 4:1-21
Thursday: 1 Cor 5:1-13
Friday: 1 Cor 6:1-20
Saturday: 1 Cor 7:1-40
Psalm of the Week: Psalm 83
Prayer:
O Lord! May your love and heavenly riches continue to abide with us as we place all our hope in you. Amen!
