Thought for Today
Ecclesiastes 5:10 The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity.
2 Samuel 2:11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months . . . 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel . . . 5:5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
Matthew 21:12 Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
John 13:29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor.
The love of money may well be the root of all kinds of evil as Paul wrote to Timothy (1Timothy 6:10), and love may well make the world go round, but in truth economics affects every aspect of our lives. “Economics is the study of how people allocate scarce resources for production, distribution, and consumption, both individually and collectively.” (Copilot search) If you don’t think economics is of any interest for you or affects you in any way, next time you shop for groceries, notice the current price of eggs.
Currently, there is a lot in the news about tariffs, world trade and the possible impact of tariffs on the prices we all see when we shop for almost anything. It is impossible to separate economics and politics. Both have major impacts on the lives we all live. It has been alleged, with some element of truth, that no 2 economists can agree on anything. Economists have been described as “often wrong, but never in doubt.” If you are confused about what you hear and read right now about all of this, welcome to the club.
If you believe it possible to separate questions of faith and money, you have never been involved in a Stewardship Campaign, never been your church’s treasurer, and have never struggled with your church’s budget. For scriptural perspective, look at the words of Qoheleth, ponder on money’s affect on Judas, reflect on how economics of the Temple affected Jesus.
Those words above about King David may seem a bit out of place in thinking about economics and money. However, many scholars believe that the Hebrew language initially was only an oral language with no written alphabet. When David became the king of what we call the United Kingdom, however, tax records and tax revenues became such an important issue for that kingdom that a written language developed to ensure their accuracy. Economics created the need for proper, written records.
We have a common phrase, “if money were no object . . .” It’s easy to toss out that phrase, followed by some pipedream of ideal. If money were no object, we could cure world hunger. If money were no object, we could alleviate housing insecurity. The truth is that everywhere we look, in everything we consider, money is a major consideration.
That is equally as true for the church as it is for any business, government or any individual. I have read that “money greases the wheels of industry.” Money also enables all of the ministries of Christianity. Any of our congregation who are reading this, and any who volunteer at the First Parish Community Food Pantry, are probably thinking right now, “If money were no object . . . “ Those of us who are part of the First Parish Church Council and will be meeting tonight may also be thinking, “If money were no object . . . “
As Christians, we are charged to make proper use of our resources in the service of our faith. Look back in the first paragraph at that definition of economics. Take note of “scarce resources.” That definition needs to be expanded to include the study of how we allocate those scarce resources for the betterment of God’s children and for sharing the gospel good news of God’s love.
Stay safe, allocate wisely, trust God,
Pastor Ray