The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Simplicity: More Is Less."
Generosity defined as giving away my resources is an expense. However, generosity defined as giving away my resources “to fulfill God’s purposes” is an investment. Both are expenditures, but the latter comes with the expectation of a return. Wise stewardship isn’t simply a matter of giving money away; it’s a matter of putting money to work with a view to a heavenly return on an earthly investment. Wise stewardship involves doing something that matters to God with money; it involves using money in a way that pleases him. The Core Competency’s creed makes up for what’s missing in the statement, “I gladly give my resources” by adding the purpose statement “to fulfill God’s purposes.” Besides, stewardship involves more than cold hard cash. It involves everything I am or own. Therefore, wise stewardship involves doing something that matters to God with everything I am or own; it involves using everything I am or own in a way that pleases him.
Seeing generosity/stewardship as investing can help. Giving money away is one thing; investing it is another. Giving money away often leaves nothing lasting to show for it; investing money wisely always leaves something lasting to show for it. The difference between the two is reflected in the adage, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.” Give a man a fish and once he eats it, it’s gone forever; teach a man to fish, and once he learns how, he can feed himself forever. Which would you rather do, give fish away or teach others to fish? You might do both, but you’d probably rather teach fishing. In fact, if you had your way, you’d probably rather teach others to teach fishing because investing yields lasting returns!
Most everyone has investments of one kind or another: a simple savings account, a home, an IRA, a 401k, etc. And most people add to their investments from time to time. For example, Bill has a 401k. He contributes to it through payroll deductions that are matched by an employer. He has built a portfolio of investments in mutual funds, bond funds, and cash. He knows how many shares of each fund he has, and he keeps a close eye on market fluctuations in their value. He hasn’t given his money away; it isn’t gone. He’s invested his money and has something valuable to show for it.
What if Bill saw the Core Competency Generosity as an investment rather than an expense? He might open a spiritual portfolio, that is, a strategic ministry portfolio, to which he might make regular contributions. Given the analogy, he might choose to diversify this portfolio by “purchasing shares” in the ministry of his church, in “high quality” missionaries or mission agencies, and in “AAA rated” compassion ministries. He might even keep track of how many shares of each he “owned” with a view to calculating the “capital gains” on his investments—which, of course, would only be fully revealed in eternity. The point is simple enough: lay up treasure in heaven by investing on earth not only for yourself but also for God.
Jesus told a parable to warn against greed by teaching that “life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk 12:15). Given the analogy, let’s call it “The Parable of the Foolish Retiree.”
“The business of a certain well to do entrepreneur took off and returned huge profits for its owner. The fellow thought to himself, ‘What should I do? I have no idea where to put all the money I’ve made.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’m going to do. It’s time to retire. I’ll sell the business and take all that money and invest it. With the help of a financial advisor, I’m sure I can put together a portfolio that will pay me a guaranteed return for the rest of my life. Then I’ll sit back and relax knowing that I’m financially secure. I’m going to get out of the rat race, travel, play golf, spend time with my wife and the grandkids.’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight you die. What’s going to happen to all your money tomorrow?’
“This is how it will be with anyone who invests only for himself and not at all for God.”
Central Message of the Text:
Foolish are those whose lives revolve around accumulating wealth for themselves, while taking no thought whatsoever for God.
Family Talk:
In Luke 12:15 Jesus says, “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Well, that’s the ultimate mic drop. How many times have you said, “We don’t need more stuff to be happy, we need to be happy with our stuff”? I’ve mentioned we live in a small house in a wonderful neighborhood that we absolutely love. But every once in a while, I hear a tiny voice whispering, “we need more room; we’ve outgrown this space; we deserve more!” I quickly remind myself that our tiny house is someone else’s grand palace. In this day of immediate satisfaction, the buy now/pay later mentality, and social media marketing, one of the best teaching moments we have is the opportunity to say “no” to our kids. Those little darlings try to convince us that they are the only third grader without an Apple watch or Nintendo Switch. They might wheedle, whine, complain, or even throw down the cute look, but stand firm, parents! A wise friend once said, “We’re raising adults, not children.” Let’s train them how to do without more stuff but instead appreciate and enjoy all the Lord has blessed us with. Let’s train them to be wise with money, spending, giving, and saving to God’s glory. Let’s train them their worth is not in the clothes they wear or latest gaming system, but in Jesus Christ alone. I’m praying you and your kids fully realize you are special because you’re a child of God.