God gives the ability to create
wealth
Warren Buffet is known as the
‘Oracle of Omaha’. He makes his money in investments and is one of the world’s
wealthiest men, yet uses his wealth to create philanthropy in the grand
tradition of Carnegie and Rockefeller.
In 2006 he made history by donating $37bn to the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation. When asked why he gave so much (and to one charity) he said he had
been given the gift to make money but it took a different gift to spend it
wisely.
It is almost inevitable that we
will find contrasting attitudes to wealth in Christian tradition. In Genesis we
read that wealth is a gift and a blessing particularly when not sought (1 Kings
3:13), yet we also see that covetousness and the love of money are condemned (1
Tim 6:10), as is trust in wealth (Ps 49:6; Luke 12:19).
Whatever our financial situation
the Bible emphasises the importance of generosity. How generous are we, not
just in relation to our money but in blessing others from our gifts and other
resources?
In Deuteronomy 8 we are commanded
not to become self-satisfied in what we have in case we become proud and forget the Lord (v14). A
simple reminder but so easy to forget.
Irrespective of how much or how little we have, we are reminded that it
is not our power and strength that builds the wealth of nations or of
individuals but it is God who gives the ability to create wealth (v18). We are
commanded to be generous with what we have and to guard against our hearts
being hardened to our generous creator.
Let us consider today a particular
way that we can show generosity to those we meet, not only through our
finances, but also through the generosity of a word or an action reflecting the
heart of our generous God.
(husband and wife)