Spending Money For God’s Work Is Always Good

Today’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30

It has taken decades, but I am happy to report that I have finally learned the lesson of today’s reading.

In the last two weeks I have made several expensive car repairs that 10 years ago I would have put off indefinitely — even if I had the money. True to God’s word, my bank account has been replenished immediately by money that I had not been expecting. And I would not have been equipped to earn that extra money had I not made the repairs.

As is God’s design, all of this means I have been able to spread His blessings to an almost countless number of  people: the friend I hired to help me with repairs, the owners and workers at the auto parts store, the engineers and craftsmen who made the parts I bought, the truck drivers who delivered the parts to the store, the new customers I was able to serve as a result of the repairs, the bankers who have already invested those customers’ money — not to mention the money I spent on the repairs — into still other glorious ventures, the friends and neighbors I will be able to help make the same repairs on their own cars in the future, and the list could go on and on.

This is yet another example of how, when I refuse to worry about money, God gives me all that I need to do His work.  (Actually, he usually gives me more than I need.) Meanwhile, I’ve finally realized  that my life’s money “problems” have arisen only during times when I have not trusted God with my finances.

In returning to this story today, I realize that its lessons apply to much more than just money.

This story is about sharing God’s love in all ways.

When I let fear (or any other emotion, though, in my experience fear is usually the culprit) keep me from complimenting a person who has impressed me, visiting a friend in need, or just talking to someone about the great things Christ has done in my life, I make the same mistake as the man who hid his money for safekeeping. Saving God’s love entirely for myself is not helpful for anyone — not even me.

Accordingly,  I deserve the same reproach:

“But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?” (Verse 25)

Thanks be to God for always making it possible for me to do His great work in the world. May I always have the wisdom and courage to do it.