Day 220: Money: A Blessing or a Curse? (Proverbs 19:13-22, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Chronicles 26:20-27:34)

Day 220: Money: A Blessing or a Curse? (Proverbs 19:13-22, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, 1 Chronicles 26:20-27:34): Introduction Laurence was in charge of the finances of the church. He was also a deacon. There was a great revival taking place all around him. It was said that, ‘All of Rome were becoming Christians.’ As a result, persecution broke out under the Emperor Valerian in around the year AD 250. Christians who owned property distributed all the church’s money and treasures to the city’s poor. Valerian ordered all bishops, priests and deacons to be arrested and executed. He offered Laurence a way out if he would show where all the church’s treasures were located. Laurence asked for three days to gather it into one central place. He brought together the blind, poor, disabled, sick, elderly, widows and orphans. When Valerian arrived, Laurence flung open the doors and said, ‘These are the treasures of the church!’ Valerian was so angry that he decided beheading was not terrifying enough for Laurence. He ordered that this courageous man be roasted on a gridiron. That is how Laurence died on 10 August AD 258. Apparently, he even joked with his executioners, ‘You may turn me over. I’m done on this side.’ His courage made such an impression that the revival in Rome only increased, with 

Introduction Laurence was in charge of the finances of the church. He was also a deacon. There was a great revival taking place all around him. It was said that, ‘All of Rome were becoming Christians.’ As a result, persecution broke out under the Emperor Valerian in around the year AD 250. Christians who owned property distributed all the church’s money and treasures to the city’s poor. Valerian ordered all bishops, priests and deacons to be arrested and executed. He offered Laurence a way out if he would show where all the church’s treasures were located. Laurence asked for three days to gather it into one central place. He brought together the blind, poor, disabled, sick, elderly, widows and orphans. When Valerian arrived, Laurence flung open the doors and said, ‘These are the treasures of the church!’ Valerian was so angry that he decided beheading was not terrifying enough for Laurence. He ordered that this courageous man be roasted on a gridiron. That is how Laurence died on 10 August AD 258. Apparently, he even joked with his executioners, ‘You may turn me over. I’m done on this side.’ His courage made such an impression that the revival in Rome only increased, with many people becoming Christians including several senators who witnessed his execution. St Laurence had a profound understanding of the message of Jesus. He understood that the poor are the true treasures of the church. What should our attitude be to the poor? What about the rich? Is poverty a blessing or a curse? Are riches a blessing or a curse? Does the gospel promise prosperity? Proverbs 19:13-22 13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,   and a quarrelsome wife is like   the constant dripping of a leaky roof. 14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,   but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15 Laziness brings on deep sleep,   and the shiftless go hungry. 16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,   but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,   and he will reward them for what they have done. 18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;   do not be a willing party to their death. 19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;   rescue them, and you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,   and at the end you will be counted among the wise. 21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,   but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 22 What a person desires is unfailing love;   better to be poor than a liar. Commentary Money is not everything The book of Proverbs has a remarkably balanced understanding of wealth and poverty. Neither is seen as wholly good or wholly bad. They are understood as part of the wider fabric of life, and you are encouraged to use what you have wisely. ‘Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord’ (v.14). There is nothing wrong with houses or wealth; but there are more important things in life. Finding the right marriage partner is far more important than having lots of money. For those tempted to work too hard in pursuit of money or any other goal, it is important to remember the sovereignty of God: ‘Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ (v.21). Taking ‘Sabbath rest’ and holidays is a sign that you trust in God’s sovereignty. Wealth is not the most important thing in life; nor is poverty the worst thing that can happen to you: ‘What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar’ (v.22). We need love far more than we need riches. Integrity of character is far more important than money. On the other hand, this passage does not exalt poverty as a virtue. Sometimes poverty can be self-inflicted: ‘Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry’ (v.15). Whatever the reason may be for a person’s poverty, be kind to the poor: ‘Those who are kind to the poor lend to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done’ (v.17). This is an extraordinary and wonderful promise. God is no person’s debtor. Every time you do something kind for a poor person, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay with interest. Often, we see amazing blessings in the lives of those who spend their time ministering with the poor, the homeless and the prisoners. Prayer Lord, I entrust you with my finances and my future. Help me to live a life of generosity to all – especially the poor.