Here is a deceptive paragraph..."Jesus talked much about money. Sixteen of the thirty-eight parables were concerned with how to handle money and possessions. In the Gospels, an amazing one out of ten verses (288 in all) deal directly with the subject of money. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions."
http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1996/december/410.html
Luke 16:13 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Seems pretty straightforward, no real reason to have 287 more verses, that one pretty much sums it up, so let us consider some of the other verses.
The unrighteous steward parable, is that really about money? (Luke 16)Nope, turns out this guy was forfeiting his commission, giving a discount to his bosses debtors, so that they would be friends with him later, but the point of the story has nothing to do with money except to see money as something that has no lasting importance and should instead be used like everything else in our lives to work toward the Kingdom of God.
Jehovah Jireh, God will provide, (not "my" provider although that rhymes and is cool, we are not the center of the universe). What was provided by Jehovah had NOTHING to do with money, the ram of sacrifice/worship to be slain in place of Isaac. No money was provided or transacted that day, NONE!
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) What is the context, mercy, forgiveness and compassion, sorry, no money to see here!
Tithe, investigate this on your own. Is it agricultural in nature, did it mainly have to do with the haves providing for the have nots? I'll let you decide. There was a temple tax, but since there is no temple now, that kind of eliminates the need for that.
Treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44) the focus is not on money but on the willingness to give all for the greater treasure...Him!
A wise servant being put in charge of the house (Matt. 24:45) is about faithfulness to the master's instructions. Using your God given gifts for His glory is the parable of the talents, money isn't the focus, it is the vehicle to make the larger point.
That's enough, it is IMO very deceptive to make it seem like Jesus wanted to teach about money because of how important He knew it was.
http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1996/december/410.html
Luke 16:13 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Seems pretty straightforward, no real reason to have 287 more verses, that one pretty much sums it up, so let us consider some of the other verses.
The unrighteous steward parable, is that really about money? (Luke 16)Nope, turns out this guy was forfeiting his commission, giving a discount to his bosses debtors, so that they would be friends with him later, but the point of the story has nothing to do with money except to see money as something that has no lasting importance and should instead be used like everything else in our lives to work toward the Kingdom of God.
Jehovah Jireh, God will provide, (not "my" provider although that rhymes and is cool, we are not the center of the universe). What was provided by Jehovah had NOTHING to do with money, the ram of sacrifice/worship to be slain in place of Isaac. No money was provided or transacted that day, NONE!
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) What is the context, mercy, forgiveness and compassion, sorry, no money to see here!
Tithe, investigate this on your own. Is it agricultural in nature, did it mainly have to do with the haves providing for the have nots? I'll let you decide. There was a temple tax, but since there is no temple now, that kind of eliminates the need for that.
Treasure hidden in a field (Matthew 13:44) the focus is not on money but on the willingness to give all for the greater treasure...Him!
A wise servant being put in charge of the house (Matt. 24:45) is about faithfulness to the master's instructions. Using your God given gifts for His glory is the parable of the talents, money isn't the focus, it is the vehicle to make the larger point.
That's enough, it is IMO very deceptive to make it seem like Jesus wanted to teach about money because of how important He knew it was.
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