We are currently in the midst of a Capital Stewardship Campaign at our church. During the time we have been undertaking this, I have been doing a lot of personal reflection, particularly as regards the significance of material things in light of spiritual things.
One fact I have come to understand and appreciate is this: God has a lot to say about money. In truth, sixteen of the thirty-eight parables Jesus told are pointedly concerned with how to handle money and possessions.
Moreover, in the Gospels, an amazing one out of every ten verses (that’s a total 288 out of c. 2880 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. Luke’s gospel, in particular, contains teaching after teaching on this matter.
(It has been suggested that Luke, being a Gentile and thus an outsider to first century Jewish culture, was able to see the negative aspects of materialism more clearly than even Matthew, Mark, and John. As such, he may have perhaps been more sensitive to the teachings of Jesus on this issue.)
Perhaps most surprising of all, the Bible offers right at 500 verses on prayer, a little less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions! It sounds like God knows where our hearts are, after all.
In light of all of this, I thought I would post an older item today. I cannot remember the first time I heard this little jewel. It has certainly been around for a long, log time.
This piece speaks of the true value of money, while at the same time underscoring the true limitations of money. I trust it will speak to you as it has to me down through the years.
WHAT MONEY CAN BUY
Money can buy costumes, but not beauty.
Money can buy idols, but not devotion.
Money can buy books, but not wisdom.
Money can buy a bed, but not rest.
Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy wealth, but not satisfaction.
Money can buy food, but not appetite.
Money can buy flowers, but not fragrance.
Money can buy houses, but not homes.
Money can buy honey, but not sweetness.
Money can buy luxuries, but not happiness.
Money can buy things, but not everything.
Money can buy religion, but not eternity.
One fact I have come to understand and appreciate is this: God has a lot to say about money. In truth, sixteen of the thirty-eight parables Jesus told are pointedly concerned with how to handle money and possessions.
Moreover, in the Gospels, an amazing one out of every ten verses (that’s a total 288 out of c. 2880 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. Luke’s gospel, in particular, contains teaching after teaching on this matter.
(It has been suggested that Luke, being a Gentile and thus an outsider to first century Jewish culture, was able to see the negative aspects of materialism more clearly than even Matthew, Mark, and John. As such, he may have perhaps been more sensitive to the teachings of Jesus on this issue.)
Perhaps most surprising of all, the Bible offers right at 500 verses on prayer, a little less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions! It sounds like God knows where our hearts are, after all.
In light of all of this, I thought I would post an older item today. I cannot remember the first time I heard this little jewel. It has certainly been around for a long, log time.
This piece speaks of the true value of money, while at the same time underscoring the true limitations of money. I trust it will speak to you as it has to me down through the years.
WHAT MONEY CAN BUY
Money can buy costumes, but not beauty.
Money can buy idols, but not devotion.
Money can buy books, but not wisdom.
Money can buy a bed, but not rest.
Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy wealth, but not satisfaction.
Money can buy food, but not appetite.
Money can buy flowers, but not fragrance.
Money can buy houses, but not homes.
Money can buy honey, but not sweetness.
Money can buy luxuries, but not happiness.
Money can buy things, but not everything.
Money can buy religion, but not eternity.