In John Wesley’s famous sermon, “The Use of Money,” which is an extended examination of Luke 16:9 - I have been thinking what our world might look like if God gave us courage to live out these words from the sermon’s conclusion:
Gain all you can, without hurting either yourself or your neighbor, in soul or body, by applying hereto with unintermitted diligence, and with all the understanding which God has given you; save all you can, by cutting off every expense which serves only to indulge foolish desire; to gratify either the desire of flesh, the desire of the eye, or the pride of life; waste nothing, living or dying, on sin or folly, whether for yourself or your children; and then, give all you can, or, in other words, give all you have to God. Do not stint yourself . . . to this or that proportion. “Render unto God,” not a tenth, not a third, not half, but all that is God's, be it more or less; by employing all on yourself, your household, the household of faith, and all mankind, in such a manner, that you may give a good account of your stewardship when ye can be no longer stewards.
That is radical generosity. That is not the words of someone who has one foot in this world and the other in Heaven.
Giving is about willingness, not about a percentage, or a duty or giving to God. Newsflash- God doesn't need you in order to save the world. Real giving is not a transaction, you will never balance the scales - God will always outgive you. Giving is acknowledging who every good thing in your life belongs to and where it comes from.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry” (Lk 6:24)
“Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back” (Lk 6:30). “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mt 19:21)
James exhorted Christians to live out their faith, saying, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (Jam 2:15-16). The story of the rich young man is in the Gospel for a reason—we cannot ignore it. If Jesus says, “Sell what you possess and give to the poor,” why do Christians not do what He commands?
“The mark of such a sacrificial life is eager willingness to give up comfort and privilege when that will help the weak,” ~ Roger Olsen
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. ~ Romans 12:1-4
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