Response Blog 3

We have heard the passage many times from the gospels, "one cannot serve God and mammon". We have heard it preached on, money. Our parents have talked about it with us, our grandparents have given it to us. Everywhere we look, money is there, and there is simply no escaping it. In Paul Tripp's book Sex and Money, he talks about money in a very healthy way. I think it is very important that he both highlights the good and the bad aspects of money. In this post, I want to highlight why I think his discussion on the good aspects of money are particularly helpful, especially when it comes to dealing with the negative affects. 

So often when the subject of money comes to the limelight, it is about the negative uses of it. Greed, theft, all-corrupting wealth, etc. Rarely are the positives taken to light, and even more rarely is it highlighted how the positive aspects of finances affect the amount of negative outcomes. 

Two of the aspects of what Tripp says I want to talk about here: 1) Money can connect you to the bigger work of the kingdom, and 2) Money is a means of responding to the needs of others. 

How can it connect us to the work of the bigger kingdom? 

It can connect us to places and people all around the world. For instance, one could fund such ministry as Bible Translation, or church planting, which would be taking place all around the world. You could be (in)directly influencing someone in China's coming to Christ. More indirectly, you could (and should) also give to your local church, who then goes and does this. This way, instead of it being focused in such an insular way as to only be spent on ourselves, it is instead being used to further the kingdom of God.

Money, as we have seen, is a great way to impact the world globally. But locally it is just as important. Many churches have large funds to send missionaries all across the world, but less have a large focus in their immediate community. Connected in with this is the use of money as a response to need. There are numerous amounts of need in our backyards which we a Christian's ought to be helping with, just as we have been commanded. 

If we are focused more on these ways of giving, then money will certainly become less of a stumbling block for us. For instance, as this news article displays, it is extremely important that a church is supporting their local community. How easy is it to start a community garden? With the ridiculous prices of fruits and vegetables, this a great way to help your community. 

Therefore, what can you, the reader, do to better handle your money?

Give to your church. 

Support friends and family going into ministry, and be generous. 

Support local church-led ministries like homeless shelters and food pantries which try to help those on the fringes of society. 

Here is some more reading that you can do on this topic.