Gospel Economics

It is always a good spiritual discipline
to reflect on the topic referenced
by Jesus more than
(almost) any other – Money.

We believe ALL of life
can only be properly understood
when viewed through the lens of
the gospel. It is only when we
understand our material possessions
in light of Christ’s sacrifi-
cial love for us that we can truly
have a healthy relationship
towards our material possessions.
Whose Money is It?
Historically there have been
several views on wealth and
property that influence our attitudes
today. Early Greek writings
reflect a view that money is
community property and should
be shared equally. Only in the
absolute redistribution of wealth
could a utopian society be
achieved. In sharp contrast to
this view was the Roman philosophy
that individuals had
absolute rights over their money
and property. Echoes of this
view are seen in our modern
capitalistic economy, and in our
tendency to bristle when the
topic of ‘our finances’ are discussed
in any kind of open
forum. A third view, as taught in
Scripture, is that we have a
‘qualified right’ over money and
property. In other words, God
has the ultimate ownership but
we have stewardship of our
money, property, and talents.
This view is radical in that it
teaches that we have been given
personal wealth and talents, but
that these gifts are to be invested
in God’s priorities.

Why is Money a “Problem”?
Understanding that all of our
possessions are actually on loan