Jesus and accumulating money
Jesus said some plain, serious and challenging things about the accumulation of money or wealth. He did not condemn money as such, but warned against money becoming our master, making us a slave to wealth.
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. (Matthew 6:24)
It was not the use of money he warned against, but the accumulation of money, or possessions which he called ‘treasures’.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Let us look at what this means for us in the 21st century.
- Should we save for a rainy day?
- Should we contribute to a pension for provision in our later years?
- Is it legitimate to invest money in a business?
- What if we inherit some money, what should we do with it?
- How do we avoid the trap of serving money as our master?
Compassion and Justice 