St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

"All things come from you"

Money is a god for a great many people. In the election campaigns all parties focussed on improving the standard of living for people in our country. It is taken for granted that more money leads to more happiness. What difference does it make to our use of money when we live as Christians?

Over the next few months I will try to write a little bit about money in each issue of The Link. It’s not because the church needs more money (although it does), and it’s not because I personally need your support (the C of E’s system means my pay doesn’t depend on your giving - although if the whole church crashes I’ll obviously have to find another job!).

It’s because Jesus and the bible say a lot about money.

In fact, if you think about it for a minute, I’ll bet you could name half a dozen parables which Jesus told which are all about money. Try it.

You’ll see that Jesus’ parables on money are not about supporting the church. They are about the spiritual effect that money has on each of us. How we use money shows what our faith means. How we use money shows others whether we really are Christians.

Let’s start with the basic first principle. God loves each of us so much that he gave. He gave his only Son to save us, and he gives us lots of free gifts through our lives just because he’s a loving God.

If you attend church, you’ll recognise the title of this article: it’s what we say at collection time in the communion service. The words come from King David (1,000 BC) when he was dedicating his gifts for the temple which Solomon would build. “I can’t really give you anything back, because everything is yours already and you’ve given us so much. Our lives are like a shadow, but you’ve given wealth and honour ... so we give you thanks and praise your glorious name” (from 1 Chron 29:12-15).

Jesus said something very similar (in Luke 12:32-33). “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom....” First, we experience gratitude for God’s love. “... Sell you possessions and give to the poor.” Second, once we’ve experienced God’s love and come to be certain of his care for us, we can unlock our grasp and give generously to others. It has to come that way round.

The basic first principle of our attitude to money is that God loves us, he takes care of us, and we can be sure he will see us right and look after all our needs. We have the freedom of a relationship where we trust him because we know he’s faithful. When our trust shifts from our money to God, then we can give.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. July 2001, Page 2.
Home Page. Index of articles. Money: index, C of E 1999, Gift Aid, Missions, Missions 2, All from you, Steward. In this issue: (July 2001) Vicar's Letter, Money, Teapot, Question.	"All things come from you" Money is a god for a great many people. In the election campaigns all parties focussed on improving the standard of living for people in our country. It is taken for granted that more money leads to more happiness. What difference does it make to our use of money when we live as Christians? Over the next few months I will try to write a little bit about money in each issue of The Link. It’s not because the church needs more money (although it does), and it’s not because I personally need your support (the C of E’s system means my pay doesn’t depend on your giving - although if the whole church crashes I’ll obviously have to find another job!). It’s because Jesus and the bible say a lot about money. In fact, if you think about it for a minute, I’ll bet you could name half a dozen parables which Jesus told which are all about money. Try it. You’ll see that Jesus’ parables on money are not about supporting the church. They are about the spiritual effect that money has on each of us. How we use money shows what our faith means. How we use money shows others whether we really are Christians. Let’s start with the basic first principle. God loves each of us so much that he gave. He gave his only Son to save us, and he gives us lots of free gifts through our lives just because he’s a loving God. If you attend church, you’ll recognise the title of this article: it’s what we say at collection time in the communion service. The words come from King David (1,000 BC) when he was dedicating his gifts for the temple which Solomon would build. “I can’t really give you anything back, because everything is yours already and you’ve given us so much. Our lives are like a shadow, but you’ve given wealth and honour ... so we give you thanks and praise your glorious name” (from 1 Chron 29:12-15). Jesus said something very similar (in Luke 12:32-33). “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom....” First, we experience gratitude for God’s love. “... Sell you possessions and give to the poor.” Second, once we’ve experienced God’s love and come to be certain of his care for us, we can unlock our grasp and give generously to others. It has to come that way round. The basic first principle of our attitude to money is that God loves us, he takes care of us, and we can be sure he will see us right and look after all our needs. We have the freedom of a relationship where we trust him because we know he’s faithful. When our trust shifts from our money to God, then we can give. John Hartley
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