Day 22

Our possessions are not ours to own. They’re given to us in trust.

‘In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.’ (Luke 14:33)

Graham Scroggie, a well-known preacher in the first half of the twentieth century, once said that there are two ways in which a Christian may view his money. The first way is to ask how much of my money shall I give for God? The second way is to ask how much of God’s money shall I use for myself? This second perspective is the New Testament perspective.

Discipleship includes our money. That doesn’t mean we give it all away but it does mean we give it up to God who tells us, ‘You are not your own; you were bought at a price’ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Giving it up and giving it away are not the same thing. It is not about where our money goes but why and who is directing it. Now we have to be reasonable and balanced about this, but certainly when God touches a person’s heart He touches their pockets. It is not an obligation but a privilege to invest in the wellbeing of other people and in the work of God. When the tax collector Zacchaeus was forgiven by Jesus, he immediately offered to repay fourfold what he had stolen. Money is a wonderful servant, but a corrupting master, and the sooner we learn that lesson, the safer we are.

Is your money your money or is it available to God?