Two Monetary Systems: Luke 12:33-34
““33) Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:33-34
At first grace, these two verses sound like Jesus is calling us to have a big estate sale and get rid of everything we own, and then give the money to charitable causes. It’s not quite that simple.
Keep the full context in mind. He has been warning against hedonism and self hoarding that makes us blind to the needs of others around us.
What He was saying in these verses is that we should get rid of the excess stuff in our lives that sit around collecting dust and rust. Instead of self indulgence, we should become merciful to others around us who suffer genuine need. Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
The word “charity” in this verse actually means “merciful.” Instead of accumulating junk and hoarding earthly possessions, we should invest in merciful kingdom ministry. The good Samaritan was actually the perfect example of this principle. ( Look back at Luke 10:30-37) He became a merciful man.
There are two monetary systems trying to grab your heart. The first is a worldly monetary system. It says that net worth is measured by your assets. Your value is measured by your bank accounts, investments, real estate holdings, and total possessions in this world. It feeds hedonism. It makes you cold hearted and blind.
The second is a kingdom monetary system. It says that net worth is measured by the value you add to God and others. It is measured by how you invest your time, talents and resources in promoting the gospel and delivering hope to others.
Here is the catch, your heart follows your money. You can make the accumulation of earthly wealth your god. You can become a lover of pleasure and money to the point of blinding you to God and others.
However, when you invest in kingdom values like caring for orphans and widows, your heart begins to burn for God. You begin to feed a passion for the things that are close to the heart of God.
Here is the big trade off; He then begins to use you as a faithful supply for kingdom causes. He actually expands your money belt when you use it for the kingdom.
It has been said; “you cannot take it with you!” That’s not entirely true. The key is converting a worldly monetary system into a kingdom monetary system. In the process, you store up treasures in heaven.
But treasures in heaven is just a fringe benefit. The big value is who you become in the process. Judas wanted money and in the process he became a traitor. Barnabas invested his money in kingdom work and in the process he became “the Son of Encouragement.” God loves merciful and generous people.
The moral of this comparison is; “Beware of what you become in the pursuit of what you want.” You can gain the world and in the process forfiet your soul.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
““33) Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:33-34
At first grace, these two verses sound like Jesus is calling us to have a big estate sale and get rid of everything we own, and then give the money to charitable causes. It’s not quite that simple.
Keep the full context in mind. He has been warning against hedonism and self hoarding that makes us blind to the needs of others around us.
What He was saying in these verses is that we should get rid of the excess stuff in our lives that sit around collecting dust and rust. Instead of self indulgence, we should become merciful to others around us who suffer genuine need. Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)
The word “charity” in this verse actually means “merciful.” Instead of accumulating junk and hoarding earthly possessions, we should invest in merciful kingdom ministry. The good Samaritan was actually the perfect example of this principle. ( Look back at Luke 10:30-37) He became a merciful man.
There are two monetary systems trying to grab your heart. The first is a worldly monetary system. It says that net worth is measured by your assets. Your value is measured by your bank accounts, investments, real estate holdings, and total possessions in this world. It feeds hedonism. It makes you cold hearted and blind.
The second is a kingdom monetary system. It says that net worth is measured by the value you add to God and others. It is measured by how you invest your time, talents and resources in promoting the gospel and delivering hope to others.
Here is the catch, your heart follows your money. You can make the accumulation of earthly wealth your god. You can become a lover of pleasure and money to the point of blinding you to God and others.
However, when you invest in kingdom values like caring for orphans and widows, your heart begins to burn for God. You begin to feed a passion for the things that are close to the heart of God.
Here is the big trade off; He then begins to use you as a faithful supply for kingdom causes. He actually expands your money belt when you use it for the kingdom.
It has been said; “you cannot take it with you!” That’s not entirely true. The key is converting a worldly monetary system into a kingdom monetary system. In the process, you store up treasures in heaven.
But treasures in heaven is just a fringe benefit. The big value is who you become in the process. Judas wanted money and in the process he became a traitor. Barnabas invested his money in kingdom work and in the process he became “the Son of Encouragement.” God loves merciful and generous people.
The moral of this comparison is; “Beware of what you become in the pursuit of what you want.” You can gain the world and in the process forfiet your soul.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
