Church of the poor - Jesus Army
Church of the poor - Jesus Army
Church of the poor - Jesus Army
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RADICAL<br />
BITES #06<br />
Money talk<br />
<strong>Jesus</strong> taught that if you wanted His kingdom you’d have to get rid <strong>of</strong><br />
everything else first (Mat<strong>the</strong>w 13:44, Luke 14:33).<br />
PAUL WARNS us that <strong>the</strong> love <strong>of</strong><br />
money is <strong>the</strong> root <strong>of</strong> all kinds <strong>of</strong><br />
evil (1 Timothy 6:10).<br />
Scandalously, Paul’s words<br />
are <strong>of</strong>ten quoted by Christians<br />
for <strong>the</strong> wrong reasons. They<br />
use Paul to defend <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
against <strong>Jesus</strong>. “We mustn’t love<br />
money,” <strong>the</strong>y say, “but we’ll<br />
still have plenty. Phew! That got<br />
<strong>Jesus</strong> out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> way”.<br />
<strong>Jesus</strong>, hammer-like, put it like<br />
this: “You’ll ei<strong>the</strong>r love God and<br />
hate money, or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r way<br />
around. You choose” (a paraphrase<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mat<strong>the</strong>w 6:24). <strong>Jesus</strong><br />
says that if you love God you will<br />
hate money! This is less <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
quoted by Christians.<br />
Joe Average wouldn’t deny<br />
that he loves money. At least<br />
he’s honest. Most Christians<br />
guiltily deny that <strong>the</strong>y love<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir cash and make up pretty<br />
excuses: “It’s all right to possess<br />
money, just don’t let it possess<br />
you”. Ra<strong>the</strong>r weak, this,<br />
compared with <strong>Jesus</strong>’ line on<br />
money which amounted to:<br />
“Get rid <strong>of</strong> it”.<br />
Money keeps two thirds <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
world in poverty for a fat minority.<br />
Money causes murder,<br />
divorce, slander, selfishness.<br />
Money drives people to an early<br />
grave, promising happiness it<br />
never gives. Money brings out<br />
<strong>the</strong> ugly in people. Money kills.<br />
(And you love it, don’t you?)<br />
Stop ignoring <strong>Jesus</strong>. Why sing<br />
songs which decorate Him with<br />
titles while desecrating large<br />
sections <strong>of</strong> what he taught?<br />
The church in Acts, with its<br />
sharing <strong>of</strong> money, shows us <strong>the</strong><br />
teachings <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jesus</strong> in practice<br />
(Acts 4:32-35). Money is<br />
“laid at <strong>the</strong> apostles’ feet” and<br />
channelled into <strong>the</strong> justice <strong>of</strong><br />
providing for <strong>the</strong> needy in <strong>the</strong><br />
community. It is surrendered<br />
“for <strong>the</strong> sake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gospel”<br />
(Mark 10:29).<br />
There was an old nun who was<br />
asked to explain her vow <strong>of</strong> poverty,<br />
chastity and obedience. She<br />
replied, with a twinkle in her eye:<br />
“Got no money, got no man, do<br />
as I’m told!” I imagine she could<br />
look <strong>Jesus</strong> in <strong>the</strong> eye.<br />
JL<br />
HAVE YOUR SAY: email: info@jesus.org.uk<br />
Read <strong>the</strong> ebook at http://www.jesus.org.uk/ja/jgen_kingdommanifesto.pdf<br />
ALL FREE / ALL WELCOME / NO PREJUDICE<br />
008<br />
SATURDAY 23 FEB<br />
mJanationalEVENTS<br />
Info: <strong>Jesus</strong> Fellowship, FREEPOST, Ne<strong>the</strong>r Heyford, Northampton NN7 3BR t: 0845 123 5550 e: info@jesus.org.uk www.jesus.org.uk/dates<br />
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UK JESUS<br />
CELEBRATION<br />
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