8. Matthew 10:9-10: Jesus on money teaches us that the adventure doesn’t need full pockets

This is the eighth post that I will be undertaking over the next 2 weeks in which we will be looking at everything (pretty much!) Jesus said about money in the gospels. In order to do this I will be putting up two posts each day. This is coinciding with a 2-week preaching series that we going through at Community Church Putney- Jesus On Giving.Many of us have a feeling that we just need a bit more, and some an awful lot more, money.

A report in Time Magazine in 2010, said,

‘People say money doesn't buy happiness. Except, according to a new study from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, it sort of does — up to about $75,000 a year. The lower a person's annual income falls below that benchmark, the unhappier he or she feels. But no matter how much more than $75,000 people make, they don't report any greater degree of happiness.’

Maybe you think that if you arrived at that ‘magic’ amount, you could start to really serve God and be generous.

When going on an expedition the rule is always, travel light - take as little as you actually need. When it comes to life, and money, we tend to want to carry as much as possible!

We can all fall into the, ‘when this happens or I have this much money then I will be able to do…’ trap. The problem with this approach is that we never arrive in this ideal place. God conspires to ensure that we are living a life of faith; those who are truly serving God are always at a stretch. 

Jesus on money teaches us that He will meet our needs as we seek to do His will. Jesus sent out the twelve and so sends us out into this world to serve Him with very limited resources; each of us must learn to trust and see breakthrough through faith and prayer. 

Jesus said,

“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.”  

(Matthew 10:9-10)

Money can be a massive limiter on what we will do for God. Many of us want a full bank account before we will go or give. Jesus sent out His disciples with the clothes they were standing in; Jesus on money teaches us not to wait until you are comfortable before going or giving generously, that day will never come! God wants to grow your faith as you give from what He has already given to you. 

Take a moment to ask God to search you: will you believe that God has given you enough to do what He wants you to do? Are you using the little money that you have to serve Him?