Life on the West Side

God And Money

Nathan Guy Season 2 Episode 40

We are maxed-out on credit cards, increasing our anxiety meds, and headed to marriage counseling because of money stress. All while making more money than most people in the world. And we don’t think we have a problem. In the words of Tim Keller, money blindness leads to money sickness.

 But giving offers a blessing.

The lecture today is titled "God and Money." The key passage is Luke 12:13-21.  Originally delivered at the Harding University Lectureship on September 27, 2022. A shorter and revised version entitled "The Gift and the Giver" was preached at the West Side Church of Christ on November 20, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Relinquishing Our Idols.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript of the shortened, revised version of this lesson titled "The Gift and the Giver."


References & Resources:

  • Timothy Keller, "Money." Sermon preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (March 9, 2003). Gospel In Life Podcast (July 2021).
  • "Follow the Money": See Wikipedia entry.
  • Juliet Schor, The Overspent American.  Correction: 1/3rd of households making $100K or more a year feel they can’t afford to buy everything they really need. Among those making $50K a year, 40% say the same thing. “Overall,” says Schor, “half the population of the richest country in the world say they cannot afford everything they really need.” 
  • Average American charitable giving is 2%. Charitychoices.com.
  • Samuel Wells, "Is There a Gospel for the Rich?" Sermon preached at Duke University Chapel (August 5, 2007).
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
  • Stories of early Christian generosity: David Bentley Hart, Atheist Delusions.
  • Dallas Willard, "Frugality & Poverty." Part 19 of 34. Fuller Theological Seminary Intensive Course.
  • Clark Dickerson of Dickerson-Baaker Consulting.

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