Our scripture today is Luke 16:13-15.
“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Jesus warned against placing undue value on the accumulation of wealth. It was a problem then; it remains a problem today. Jesus said “you cannot serve God and money” (v. 13).
This doesn’t mean money is bad, it’s only a tool. How we obtain money, what we use it for and what actions we are willing to undertake for it is what makes money an issue in our lives. Jesus warned that when we place more value on money than the lives of God’s children, we fall into sin.
Jesus wants us to see that we are God’s greatest treasure, far more valuable than anything else in creation. We must treat each other as God intends, using our wealth for the good of all. He has untrusted us with all the earth’s riches and calls us to use it wisely to care for each other.
Loving Lord, in our selfishness we often place our petty “wants” above the real needs of our brothers and sisters. Forgive us and bless us to bless others, being generous with the gifts You have given. Amen.