“The money god is still thriving today, promising status and favor. . . . To serve God is to do away with superficial hierarchies that bestow value on some people but not others. To serve mammon is to assign value and dignity based on bank accounts, houses, cars, and accomplishments. Thank goodness Jesus ushers us into something far more beautiful.”- Rich Villodas
“[Your Father in heaven] causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”- Matthew 5:45 (NIV)
As Rich Villodas moves on in Chapter 8 of The Narrow Path, he suggests three things to help us kneel before Jesus in regard to the money area of our lives. Rich covers the first one today.
1. Generosity. A primary way to denounce mammon involves sharing it with others. Certainly, Rich acknowledges, we need to save and invest. But we take another step on the path to Jesus every time we part with our money.
However, Rich cautions us not to see generosity as a return-on-investment strategy. Because being prosperous never controls God’s hand. Rather, it’s the act of opening ours. In addition, generosity fails to manipulate God’s grace. Instead, it enables us to live free from attachments. Put another way, our goodness never compels God to be good. For God’s essence is goodness.
In conclusion, Rich observes, few things produce more anxiety than money. It’s not hard to believe that selfishness serves as the root of greed and hoarding activity. Yet, many times, those actions acre actually symptoms of fear.
Rich adds:
“Generosity, which looks different from person to person, is part of the narrow path. Jesus wants you to see that your well-being is secured not by acquiring but by relinquishing. Trust him in that.”
Unhealthy eyes fixate on the priority of the money god. While healthy eyes fixate on the pursuit of God’s priorities. Above all, Jesus longs for you to live with clear, not clouded vision.
Today’s question: When do you feel most tempted to focus on the money god? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The disorder of our hearts”