The concept of simony - Acts 8:9 -24 - [sermon]

#earlwoodanglican #brendanmclaughlin #scottblackwell #acts8
From the minister ...
Being wise with money
This term we’ve been looking at ‘ancient wisdom for modern issues’ from the book
of Proverbs. Last week Scott opened up Proverbs chapter 3 for us, which includes
some of the Bible’s wisdom on wealth (v. 9-10). What it shows us again is that
the Bible’s wisdom is upside-down to our world’s wisdom?
For example, the gospel teaches that real victory comes through defeat; through
God the Son died a slave’s death at the hands of his enemies. This is upside-down
to our world’s wisdom, which says victory comes through using power and influence
to get our way. In the same way, the Bible teaches that true enjoyment of wealth
comes through generosity, whereas the world teaches it comes through hoarding and
spending wealth on ourselves.
This upside-down wisdom on wealth must begin with ‘honouring the Lord with your
wealth’, rather than spending it all on ourselves. If we worship money, it will
constantly demand we do dumb, dangerous and dishonest things to get more
money. Such idolatry leads us to not only not enjoy the wealth we already have, but it
makes us risk that very wealth in our constant pursuit of more.
As Scott pointed out, our wealth is a gift from God. While some might claim they’ve
worked hard for their wealth and God only helped a bit, God would say it’s the other
way around. You’ve worked a bit, but God gave you your brain, your skills, coaches and mentors, and the opportunities afforded you in the West to build
wealth. Yet God doesn’t give such gifts to be spent solely on ourselves. As 2 Cor
9:10-11 says God wants to give more wealth to those who are generous with it.
So let me close by repeating Scott’s question; ‘who are your bank accounts focussed
on?’ Are they focused on you, your kids, your house, or God? How can we ensure
we’re honouring the Lord with our wealth?
- Brendan McLaughlin