In the first episode of this season of Faith and Finance Top 10s, Simon selects his Top 10 Bible Passages about Money and Possessions.
Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:
- Simon and Bex start off the episode by explaining that this new season will comprise ten ‘Top Ten’ lists on a faith and finance theme, starting off with Simon’s favourite ten biblical passages about money and possessions. [00:52]
- Simon’s first choice is a verse which underpins many of the comments that he has made about stewardship in this podcast - Psalm 24.1: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’. [03:17]
- Being disciplined in giving is a theme covered in Simon’s second selection, 1 Corinthians 16.1-2: ‘Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.’ [05:10]
- Simon’s third verse (Mark 12.43) makes a significant contribution to the topic of how much we should give: ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.’ [07:13]
- Simon uses the well-known expression, ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ (from 2 Corinthians 9.7) to introduce some comments about the importance of our attitude when we give. [09:11]
- Simon then comments on Acts 4.32-37, especially verses 34-35: ‘For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.’ [11:40]
- Simon draws attention to how love can be expressed through the use of money, as illustrated through the ‘Parable of the Good Samaritan’ and Luke 10.35, in particular: ‘The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”.’ [14:14]
- Simon’s next choice, Matthew 6.19-21, is a passage that is well known to the listeners of this podcast: ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ [16:20]
- Warnings are also included in the Bible verses selected, with Ezekiel 28.5 sounding a note of caution: ‘By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud.’ Simon then takes the opportunity to sneak in an additional warning verse in the form of 1 Timothy 6.10: ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.’ [19:02]
- The Parable of the Shrewd Manager also provides a warning, with Luke 16.10 making it clear that there will be consequences if we mismanage the resources that have been entrusted to our care: ‘Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.’ [20:57]
- Simon’s final verse in his top ten list comes from the Parable of the Talents, with Matthew 25.23 putting forward an end of life accolade that is worthy of our aspiration: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ [22:13]
- The focus of our next episode will be on ten ways to achieve a healthy relationship with money. [23:21]
Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.
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