Are You Financially Asleep or Awake?
“What does Jesus have against sleep?” our eight-year-old asked on the way to church.
Our family had been invited to lead “a responsive call to worship” that morning – a short time at the beginning of the service in which we were to read some Scripture. We were asked to read from Mark 13, where Jesus told His disciples to “keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back…If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.”
As we practiced our lines on the way to church, the part about not being found sleeping made our oldest son think that Jesus was all about work and no rest. I pointed out that it was really a metaphor. To be awake is to live our lives in a state of constant preparedness for Christ’s return, which means living in relationship with Him and living as He taught us to live.
The Money Connection
As I pondered this notion, I kept thinking about what it would look like financially to live in a constant state of preparedness for Christ’s return.
If He came to our house tomorrow, it’s a sure bet that toys would be scattered throughout the house and the newspaper pile would be in dire need of being taken outside to the recycling bin. I don’t think He’d care about those things. But I think He would care about what He saw inside our checkbook and our hearts. Here’s what I think He’d want to see.
Financial Identity
He’d want it to be clear that we know who we are, financially speaking. He’d want it to be evident that we look at the world through the eyes of a steward, not the eyes of a consumer.
Financial Attitudes
Since He has an uncanny ability to see inside our hearts, I think He’d want to see plenty of contentment in there.
He wouldn’t want to see a hunger for more stuff or jealousy over what other people have; He’d want to see gratitude for what we have.
He wouldn’t want to see us living under a cloud of guilt or shame over past financial mistakes. Sure, He’d want to see us taking responsibility for cleaning things up, but He’d want us to know that He is quick to forgive all who seek His forgiveness.
I think it would please him if He saw that our financial lives were marked by patience – a willingness to wait until we can afford things before we buy them, and the realization that our ultimate happiness won’t be found in what we can buy.
I think He’d understand if those attitudes didn’t come naturally or easily, and if we felt uncertain or uneasy about the economy and our job security. But He’d want to see that we’re leaning into Him for strength, encouragement, and perspective.
Financial Behavior
If Jesus showed up tomorrow, I think He’d want to see that we’re not winging it with His money – that we have a plan. After all, according to His own instruction manual, it says those who profit are those who plan (Proverbs 21:5).
I think He’d want to see us living generously – not just because the Bible teaches that generosity is to be our first financial priority (Proverbs 3:9), but because generosity has become a natural way that we express our gratitude for all that He has done for us.
I think He’d want to see that our finances are in order – that we keep some money in reserve (Proverbs 21:20), are cautious in our use of debt (Proverbs 22:7), take a slow and steady approach to investing (Proverbs 13:11), and try to be smart about spending decisions big and small. After all, He said that money matters and matters of faith are tightly intertwined (Luke 16:11).
How Prepared Are You?
What’s your response to the idea of living in a constant state of financial preparedness? Does it overwhelm you?
I don’t think Jesus would want you to feel overwhelmed, and I know He wouldn’t want you to think you’re on some sort of performance plan.
If He returned tomorrow, mostly I think He’d want it to be clear that we cherish our relationship with Him above all else. Yes, He’d want to see the fruit of that relationship, that our financial attitudes and behaviors are being increasingly shaped by His teachings and leadings. But also that we live with a sense of peace about the areas that are still kind of messy. A sense of peace that’s been shaped by His grace.