I don’t love money—but I do love stuff!

So commented my friend when we sat with a group and discussed these challenging words of Jesus:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

I don’t love money in and of itself, like Scrooge McDuck literally swimming in his wealth, but I do keep warm places in my heart. Like my friend, I love stuff, and money buys stuff. I enjoy experiences, and money allows for more of those and further afield.

I fancy the security money brings, even as I tell myself that only the Lord ultimately brings security. I watch money purchase pleasures and houses and even friends for a time. For sure I need to buy stuff only money can buy, and so I need to use money, just not enter into a loving relationship with what’s in my wallet.

Insightful into this conversation is the response of the Pharisees to Jesus. The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

With hearts fully given over to the pursuit, the accumulation, and the trappings of wealth, the Pharisees rejected any idea of divided loyalties. These men remained blind to their treatment of others as they increased revenue for themselves.

A good check on my heart involves my response to these words of Jesus. When I see them do I pause and wonder, how am I doing with my affections toward money? Or do I skip past? If I ignore Jesus, or pass over without a hitch in my spirit, then I have a problem. Perhaps I’m choosing the wrong master.

And that choice fails as a long-term investment strategy.

Luke 16 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022