I must return to this concern because I still hear the same, constant, universal drumbeat from all financial advisors and preachers and ‘Bible’ teachers.
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The most prominent advisor on Christian radio uses a clip from Billy Graham (don’t know the context):
“When Jesus told the rich, young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, Jesus did not want his money—He wanted his heart.”
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Just today someone was teaching that money is not the problem as long as it does not have first place in your heart.
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I guarantee that the message received by American Christians is that wherever you have your money is okay (except funding abortion or pornography) as long as your heart is in the right place.
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The problem—everything Jesus said about money.
The problem—what Jesus said about money is never quoted, or always quoted with a compulsive disclaimer.
I’ve observed this my whole life, and only Daddy and my pastor Steve have made the distinction of quoting and letting Jesus’ words stand, period.
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American Christians have enormous amounts of money ‘invested’ in places that are questionable at best, in light of Jesus’ words, and more obviously in direct violation of Jesus’ words.
We have become so accustomed to participating in everything American prosperity offers, that we’re convinced it’s Biblical—we’ve elevated teachers to say what we want to hear, because we’re in too deep to get out.
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‘Incidentally,’ Jesus’ words apply to all places in the world and all times of history—advice given and taken by Americans does not.
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So, what did Jesus say that doesn’t mesh with universal, comprehensive, all-encompassing teaching across-the-board in America?
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“Sell what you have, give it to the poor, and come follow me.”
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“Where your treasure is, there your heart WILL BE also.”
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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal.”
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“Do lay up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, and thieves do not break in and steal.”
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“If God takes care of the flowers and the birds, how much more will your Father take care of you . . . You are much more valuable than many sparrows.”
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Jesus told the story of a prosperous farmer with a bumper crop, who stored it in bigger barns and decided to retire for many years of ease.
Then the fateful words, “BUT GOD said, tonight your soul will be required—when whose will all these things be?”
The story ends, ” . . . not rich toward God.”
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“It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
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“Those who want to be rich, fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
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In light of Jesus’ repeated warnings about the serious, eternal dangers of seeking more money, WHY do so many American Christians relentlessly pursue trying to beat the odds?
I think they are listening to another word in the Bible, from a different source, in Genesis 3:1, “Did God really say?”
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So, did Jesus really just want the rich, young guy’s heart, and not his money?
Actually, according to Jesus’ own words, the two are inextricably tied together—Jesus could not have his heart (or our heart) without his money, so He told him he had to give up (GIVE AWAY) his money first before he could follow Jesus, to heaven.
How much of his money did Jesus tell him to give?
Why is this true story in the Bible, for us?
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