Hello again,
There has been a lot of talk about the Budget this week with one media outlet calling it ‘the most anxiously anticipated Budget in a generation’. Pensioners and workers are concerned about how it affects them; employers and farmers are wondering how their businesses will now be impacted, and the country waits to see how the money to be raised will benefit schools, the National Health Service, defence, the green agenda, housing and a host of other key priorities.
Money seems to be a concern for every part of society, including Christians. The Bible certainly has a great deal to say about money. From a negative perspective, scripture warns us that ‘the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.’ (1 Timothy 6:10 NIVUK). And Jesus himself poignantly tells us, ‘You cannot serve both God and Money.’ (Matthew 6:24).
However, on a positive note money can be used for good: providing for our families (1 Timothy 5:8); supporting those in need (1 Corinthians 16:1-4), and supremely for God’s work of evangelism and discipling those who come to faith (Luke 16:9).
The Chancellor of the Exchequer stresses fiscal responsibility with the nation’s finances and as Christians we are called to be good stewards of the money we have available to us. However God chooses to bless us financially, money is not an end in itself: money is only temporary, but let’s use it to leave a lasting legacy for the glory of Jesus Christ.
In Christian love,
Barry Robinson