The Way to Wealth

Matthew 6:19-24
One of the most fascinating autobiographies I’ve read is that of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). He made a fortune as a printer and journalist and was wealthy enough to virtually retire from business at the age of forty. He was an inventor, politician, scientist, diplomat, philanthropist and writer. His 26th annual almanac was entitled ‘The Way to Wealth’. It contained sayings like ‘God helps those who help themselves’ and ‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’ The emphasis was on independence, frugality and diligence. ‘If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting…’

Many of Franklin’s ideas penetrated not only American society but our own – even up to my parents generation (who quoted some of the above sayings). Today we live in a credit age – it is acceptable to spend money you haven’t got.

Jesus attitude towards money was different again. He emphasised the need to trust God for our finances and to be generous givers.

Giving doesn’t come naturally to most people, yet when we do it transforms our characters and frees us from materialism. Jesus expressed this very starkly when he said ‘You cannot serve both God and Money.’

One of the most practical ways in which you can ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ is to give money when you see a need. But Jesus does teach us to give anonymously to ensure that our motives are right! There are regular notices in our church news sheet - ‘so and so would like to say thank you for the anonymous gift they received recently.’ That is love in action. In Luke 6:38 Jesus said ‘Give and it will be given to you…’ God has committed himself to this principle. So there will be times when you sense you should give some money away but know that you’ll be financially stretched if you do. That’s where faith comes in. If you obey the prompting to give, God will honour his part and provide for you. So you learn to trust in God, not in your savings or your credit card!