Dear Family and Friends,

One of the benefits of being a two year old is when Papa and Nana are calling your name, you can totally ignore them and act like you have no idea what they’re saying.

I have a confession: God called on me to share the following quote from Saint Augustine of Hippo some time ago. And instead of doing so, I’ve been acting like our grandson – – that is until today. There’s no escaping the wishes of God. Or Nana and Papa.

“Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.” Saint Augustine

We live in one of the most generous societies in the world. And for many of us, our generosity towards the church and worthy causes is rooted in our Christian beliefs.

But let me ask a thought provoking question: When it comes to managing what remains of our home finances, are we following our Christian beliefs? Or the worlds?

My sense is certain ways of the world may have crept into how we think about money. Perhaps it’s because money is a thing of this world, so we manage it accordingly.

For example, the underlying goal of all the financial advice this world offers can actually be stated in a single word – accumulate.

We accumulate money – referred to as wealth – for a variety of reasons. To protect against rainy days. To help the next generation.

And many of us accumulate wealth well beyond our needs – because that’s the American way. It’s the world’s way.

But is accumulating wealth what Jesus wants of us?

There’s a story found in the four Gospels about a woman who poured very expensive perfume over Jesus a few days before His crucifixion.

The disciples were indignant, calling the act a waste of what should have gone to helping the poor.

Jesus corrects them and calls her act a beautiful thing for she was preparing His body for burial.

Then Jesus said something extraordinary. He set this woman apart from all others.

“Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  Matthew 26:6-13 NIV

We don’t know if the woman knew she was following the wisdom of Solomon: “A good name is better than fine perfume.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 NIV

But she did, and in doing so declared that Jesus was worth more than anything in the world. 

In return, Jesus gave her a good name. One that will be forever remembered.

Jesus is telling us that a good name is better than accumulated wealth as well.

Matthew Henry was a 18th century minister best remembered for his devotional commentary of every book in the Bible. Allow me to paraphrase what he wrote about a good name.

“A good name is better than all riches (Proverbs 22:1). A good name will bring a more grateful pleasure to the mind, will give a man a larger opportunity of usefulness, and will go further, and last longer, than the most precious box of ointment; for Christ paid Mary for her ointment with a good name, a name in the gospels, and we are sure he always pays with advantage.”

Let me close with this word of advice: If God speaks to you about this topic, please don’t be like my grandson, or me. 

In love always,