In Romans chapter 12 Paul is talking about spiritual gifts.
In verses 6-8 it says - "Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace
given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according
to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches,
in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality;
he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." The gift mentioned here that I want to focus on is the gift of giving.
In Mark 12 Jesus was observing the people who were giving at the temple and it says in verses 42-44 - "A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Also, in Luke 16:10-13 Jesus said - "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth."
Everything we have belongs to God. And according to this passage if we want "true riches" we need to be faithful with "unrighteous wealth". Money is not true wealth. According to Proverbs 23:4-5 wealth doesn't last. - "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens."
Wealth doesn't just speak of money, but also possessions. Since all our physical possessions won't last anyway we may as well invest it in something that will. True wealth, treasure in heaven which we store up by furthering the kingdom of God, by giving to the Lords work out of what He has given us. But also by growing closer to Christ and encouraging others. In Colossians 2:2-3 it says - "that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
True wealth comes from a deeper relationship with Christ. And we can share this wealth with others as well. By encouraging one another in their relationship with Christ, we not only add to our account, but also help others get rich.
Acts 20:35 - "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Matthew 10:8 - "Freely you received, freely give."
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
In Mark 12 Jesus was observing the people who were giving at the temple and it says in verses 42-44 - "A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Also, in Luke 16:10-13 Jesus said - "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth."
Everything we have belongs to God. And according to this passage if we want "true riches" we need to be faithful with "unrighteous wealth". Money is not true wealth. According to Proverbs 23:4-5 wealth doesn't last. - "Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens."
Wealth doesn't just speak of money, but also possessions. Since all our physical possessions won't last anyway we may as well invest it in something that will. True wealth, treasure in heaven which we store up by furthering the kingdom of God, by giving to the Lords work out of what He has given us. But also by growing closer to Christ and encouraging others. In Colossians 2:2-3 it says - "that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
True wealth comes from a deeper relationship with Christ. And we can share this wealth with others as well. By encouraging one another in their relationship with Christ, we not only add to our account, but also help others get rich.
Acts 20:35 - "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Matthew 10:8 - "Freely you received, freely give."
Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
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