Desiring God by John Piper (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7.
Today's subject is money.
Piper counsels us to not desire to be rich because:
(i) there are no u-hauls behind hearses;
(ii) simplicity is possible and good;
(iii) pursuit of wealth pierces the heart with many pangs.
Then we are shown three direction to the rich (which is pretty much all of us!) about how to use our money to confirm our eternal future:
(i) Don't let your money produce pride;
(ii) Don't set your hope on uncertain riches, but on God who richly furnishes you all things to enjoy;
(iii) Be rich in good deeds.
Piper's chapter was certainly good on encouraging us to consider how much we are investing in the bank of heaven. But I do think he may have been a little hard on the enjoyment of pleasures money can buy in this life: 'Second, we can be content with simplicity because the deepest, most satisfying delights God gives us through creation are free gifts from nature and from loving relationships with people. After your basic needs are met, accumulated money begins to diminish your capacity for these pleasures rather than increase them. Buying things contributes absolutely nothing to the heart's capacity for joy.'
That last sentence I think is a little too heavy handed. Buying a new television set to enjoy with the family does contribute something to the joy in the heart. Paying to see an art exhibition and marvelling at the wonderful gifts that God has given to men does contribute joy in the heart.
I think enjoyment of money is a great source of tension in the Christian life. You can go to two extremes - live for the pure enjoyment of possessions or sell everything you have and enjoy no worldly possessions.
I think God wants us to enjoy some of the things that money can buy while remembering that they are good gifts from him, but also make sure we are enjoying spending money for the advancement of the kingdom.
Read Chapter 8.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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