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My Master's Money: What Jesus Taught About Financial Stability, Generosity & Wealth


Money is perhaps the most universal concern in human life. It affects our stress levels, our relationships, and the decisions we make every day. So, what did Jesus have to say about finances, assets, and giving? It’s been circulated for nearly a century that Jesus “spoke more about money than any other subject.” That’s not entirely accurate, but suffice it to say it was one of His most frequently referenced topics or themes among with messages on the kingdom, Hell, judgment, faith, the Father, humility and repentance. 


Jesus never wrote a personal finance book, but His teachings, encapsulated in the Gospels, offer a radical, counter-cultural framework for how we should view and handle our resources. In fact,16 out of 40+ parables deal with money or possessions. This means that a significant portion of His teachings focused on financial stewardship, generosity, and the dangers of greed. This emphasis on money reflects its prominence in His teachings, with one out of every ten verses in the Gospels addressing the subject. 


The primary message of the parables revolve around three central themes: the danger of idolatry, the necessity of good stewardship, and the blessing of generosity. I want us to consider each of these concepts. 


1) The Danger of Idolatry: The Core Conflict Between God & Gold


Jesus cut straight to the heart of the matter with a challenging statement that makes it impossible to compartmentalize faith and finance: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)


The term "mammon" is often translated simply as "wealth" or "money," but it carries a connotation of material possessions personified as a false god or idol. Jesus wasn't condemning currency; He was identifying the spiritual trap of placing security, identity, and ultimate loyalty in money rather than in God.


This theme appears again when He observes the difficulty riches create for those seeking the Kingdom: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)


You may have noticed that there are parables that specifically teach about money or possessions : 

  • The Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

  • The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

  • The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

  • The Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)

  • The Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)


There are also parables where money is a significant element in the story : 

  • The Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

  • The Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46)

  • The Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18:23–35)

  • The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–9)

  • The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

  • The Pharisee & the Tax Collector (Luke 18:10–14)


Jesus' frequent discussions on money were not a focus on wealth itself, but a practical way to teach spiritual truths about stewardship, contentment, generosity, and avoiding greed. He used money as a universally understood concept to illustrate principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. 


The approach Jesus used to tackle the dangers of idolatry is brilliantly executed. He’s able to weave the truth into the story by creating an image that has multiple layers. Any attempt to approach a teaching, or a parable, with a fresh lens will reap tremendous spiritual dividends. 


2) The Necessity of Good Stewardship: The Power of the Kingdom Parables


Jesus used stories about money to illustrate eternal truths, focusing not on how much we have, but what we do with it. The topic of stewardship was important to Jesus and later it would be a vital practice of the early church. Specifically, the parables reveal the benefits of good stewardship and the power of kingdom living. 


The Danger of Misplaced Trust

  • The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21): A man builds bigger barns to hoard his bountiful harvest, only to have God call him to account that very night. The core lesson? Earthly wealth offers no guarantee of tomorrow, and it’s foolish to be "rich toward himself, and not toward God."

  • The Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31): The rich man ignores the beggar, Lazarus, at his gate, living in extravagant comfort. The consequence is not based on his wealth itself, but on his indifference and failure to use his abundance to alleviate suffering.


The Responsibility of Resources

  • The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): The master gives three servants money (talents) according to their ability. Two invest and double the funds; one buries his talent out of fear. This parable makes it clear that we are expected to multiply and utilize the resources (whether spiritual or financial) given to us. Idle resources are unacceptable to the Master.

  • The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13): This complex parable ultimately teaches shrewdness. The steward uses his master's resources wisely (though selfishly) to prepare for his future. Jesus encourages His followers to be equally "shrewd" in using worldly wealth to secure eternal friendships and rewards.

  • The Parables of the Hidden Treasure & the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46): These two short parables illustrate the incalculable value of the Kingdom of Heaven. In both cases, the individual "goes and sells all that he has" to acquire the supreme treasure. This demonstrates that true devotion may require a radical and total divestment from worldly assets.


3) The Blessing of Generosity: The Seed Principle


Jesus taught that giving should be done with pure motives, quietly, and with expectation.While the exact phrase "seed principle" is more commonly used in later New Testament letters (like II Corinthians 9:6), the concept is deeply rooted in Jesus's own agricultural parables, particularly those concerning the Kingdom of Heaven.


Jesus taught that giving, whether of time, service, or money, is not a financial transaction but an act of sowing. This act requires faith and patience, expecting that God will provide a corresponding, and often exponentially greater, harvest. And He heavily emphasized godly attributes, attitudes and action. 


The Attributes of Giving

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed:

“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4) Giving is meant to be a private transaction between the believer and God, free from the desire for human applause.


The Attitudes of Giving

In the Parable of the Widow’s Two Mites (Mark 12:41-44) there is a backstory. Jesus watched as wealthy people put large sums into the temple treasury. But He praised the poor widow who put in two copper coins—all she had. Jesus taught: the value of a gift is measured not by its size, but by the percentage it represents of the giver’s ability. She gave all she had; they gave only out of their abundance.


The Action of Giving

Ultimately, Jesus shifted the focus from acquisition to investment. He encouraged us to think about a permanent return: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)


Jesus’ financial advice is simple, yet profound: Be an honest, active, and generous steward of the money God allows you to control, but never let that money become your master. Your greatest security is always in the One who owns everything. It’s His money.


As we close, remember that stewardship isn't a burden; it's a blessing—an opportunity to partner with God in His work. Whether it's the talents, the time, or the treasure He's entrusted to you, approach it with gratitude and intentionality. Let your life reflect the truth that everything you have is His, and may the way you manage it bring glory to your King and further His Kingdom here on earth. Be a good steward!


You are loved.

Ray Reynolds, PhD


 
 
 
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