Money Matters

Read: Luke 16:1-13

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. --- Luke 16:13

The Bible In One Year:
1 Chronicles 10-12
John 6:45-71

Godfrey Davis, who wrote a biography of the Duke of Wellington, said, "I found an old account ledger that showed how the Duke spent his money. It was a far better clue to what he thought was really important than the reading of his letters or speeches."

How we handle money reveals much about our priorities. That's why Jesus often talked about money. One-sixth of the Gospels' content, including one out of every three parables, touches on stewardship. Jesus wasn't a fundraiser. He dealt with money matters because money matters. For some of us, though, it mattes too much.

Jesus warned that we can become slaves to money. We may not think that money means more to us than God does. But Jesus did not say we must serve God more than we serve money. The issue isn't what occupies first place in our life, but whether we serve money at all. Pastor and author George Buttrick said, "Of all the masters the soul can choose, there are at last only two --- God and money. All choices, however small, however the alternatives may be disguised, are but variants of this choice."

Does your checkbook show that Jesus is the Master of your life? --- Haddon Robinson

If we pursue mere earthly gain,
We choose a path that ends in pain;
But joy and peace are in our soul
When we pursue a heavenly goal. --- D. De Haan

FOR A QUICK CHECK ON YOUR HEART, CHECK OUT YOUR CHECKBOOK.