Preschool
A righteous man hateth lying. Proverbs 13:5
Jesus Teaches about Money
Memory Verses
Primary
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Proverbs 13:5
Junior
A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Proverbs 13:5
Background Scripture: Mark 12:13–44
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 17:24–27; Mark 12:13–17, 41–44
Introduction
Many books have been written about finances and money. However, the Word of God is often overlooked as being the best resource for the proper use of money. Though the Christian must be involved in financial matters, Jesus clearly teaches that money belongs to the kingdom of this world. The true disciple considers his riches to be of a different nature. Our prized possession as the follower of Christ is the opportunity to enrich our lives with the blessed virtues of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Key Verse
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money (Acts 8:20).
Lesson Scripture
Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.
14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Studying the Lesson
Christians are subject to civil law and should willingly pay all their taxes and dues to the government, even when they seem excessive. We are to pray for the civil authorities but not be involved in forming government policy. Jesus willingly paid tribute where it was required, even though as the Creator of everything He did not owe it. He left the majesty of heaven where money is unknown, became poor for our sakes, and gave His life to give us the opportunity to dwell in the eternal heavenly mansions. Although the things that money can buy are worthless in the light of eternity, we, being earthly, tend to seek after them. Let us look at money from the heavenly perspective of Jesus.
Jesus directed His disciples to the example of the poor widow who gave of her living—not of her abundance as the rich men had done. She showed disregard for self and complete devotion to God. Thankfulness and faith in God caused her to give, trusting in God’s providential care, rather than considering what the two mites could do for her.
Though our human tendency is to place priority on our possessions and money, our Christian challenge is to serve God from the heart with all that we have. While living in this present world, Satan offers us that we can enjoy the best of both the earthly kingdom and the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus teaches in Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Jesus warns us not to strive for and accumulate the things that will perish. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). He teaches us to be filled with His righteousness first, and then we will use the things of the world with the right perspective.
The attitude regarding money in the kingdom of the world is very different than the conviction about money in the kingdom of God. The world applauds wealth—the more you have, the more you are esteemed. The world claims money and possessions as “mine,” thinking they have earned and deserve them. It becomes a god to be served and worshipped. The world promotes accumulating, always reaching for more. Are we interested in building God’s kingdom or our own? When we examine ourselves, are we owners or stewards?
In the kingdom of God, Jesus does not define value in terms of money or judge people’s worth according to their possessions. Everything Christians have is a gift from God, and they freely acknowledge this, living a simple and conservative lifestyle. They work hard and use their things to glorify God. Money is a necessary tool to share love with people by supplying their needs. Jesus teaches us to be good stewards over the things He has put into our care and to give to others as He prompts us. When we love our fellowman and promote the message of salvation with our resources, we are building God’s kingdom. Our attitude toward money proves to which kingdom we belong.
Practical Truths for Today
Our first giving to God is to give Him our heart. By submitting to the Lord’s will, we receive direction how and where to spend our money as well as vision how to do it with love. When we have the assurance of salvation and are under the Holy Spirit’s control, the affections of our heart will be where they belong.
God never intended for everyone to give the same amount or in the same way, but each one should give bountifully and cheerfully. Sitting by the treasury, Jesus observed and counted how much the rich kept for themselves, not how much they put into the treasury. Let us consider seriously the amount we keep for ourselves.
The attitude of the world about money can influence us adversely. When our money is too important, our priorities in daily living are misplaced. People neglect their homes and families in the pursuit of wealth. In becoming successful by the world’s standards, we become a failure by God’s standards. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10, NKJV). Here the Bible highlights the treachery of money; the Christian must be careful because money is part of everyday life. Jesus carefully taught us how to use it properly because we handle it frequently.
Some Christians are tempted to take a calculated approach to acquiring and spending money, not wanting to bring it fully under Christ’s control. The rich young ruler is an example of keeping his wealth under his own authority. Should we accumulate a significantly large amount of money, we may in our reasoning, consider it hard-earned money. But others may have worked just as hard without gaining nearly as much. We cannot claim that God is blessing us financially so we can live in luxury or allowing us to prosper so we can indulge ourselves. When we use money to gratify our flesh or spoil our children, we become unbalanced and intemperate. God does not bless us so we can insulate ourselves from depending on His daily provisions.
The sincere Christian finds that giving is a beautiful way of life. When God prompts him, he comes to the treasury with clear direction on how much to give. Jesus blesses this offering given with humility and thankfulness. A young lad gave his five loaves and two fishes, even all his lunch. Jesus took it and multiplied it to feed five thousand people. Today when we give our all, God can take it, regardless of the amount, and multiply it for His honor and glory. May we take to heart the master Teacher’s lessons concerning true riches and money.
Questions
- What are the blessings we receive when we give liberally?
- What causes us sorrow when parting with our money?
- What are ways to prevent putting too much value on earthy possessions?
- Who teaches young Christians that it is more blessed to give than receive?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).