Comments on: The church’s role in financial freedom http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/ Commentary and discussion on the missional church, faith, culture, media and more... Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:41:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: daveingland http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-614 daveingland Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:35:45 +0000 http://www.daveingland.com/?p=785#comment-614 Eugene: I totally agree with your thoughts...thanks for sharing them. Glad to know we have more things in common than just lovers of cooking & enjoying a good meal :) Eugene: I totally agree with your thoughts…thanks for sharing them. Glad to know we have more things in common than just lovers of cooking & enjoying a good meal :)

]]> By: eugene hor http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-613 eugene hor Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:14:23 +0000 http://www.daveingland.com/?p=785#comment-613 Totally agree with you Dave - that's the problem with financial freedom - it encourages people to know peace without Jesus. Like you I do think that the role of the church though is to teach our people to be good stewards of their material resources using it for the kingdom in generosity, love and compassion. Am reminded of 1 Tim.6:17-19 where we're told to, 'Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.' Those of us in the West, even in the current financial crisis are still the rich. in Him, euge Totally agree with you Dave – that’s the problem with financial freedom – it encourages people to know peace without Jesus. Like you I do think that the role of the church though is to teach our people to be good stewards of their material resources using it for the kingdom in generosity, love and compassion. Am reminded of 1 Tim.6:17-19 where we’re told to, ‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.’

Those of us in the West, even in the current financial crisis are still the rich.

in Him,
euge

]]> By: Albert Garlando http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-612 Albert Garlando Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:06:46 +0000 http://www.daveingland.com/?p=785#comment-612 cheers. I didn't mean to imply that Kenny was into "prosperity theology" - so I hope, if he reads this, isn't thinking I was taking a swipe at him :) rather that, in my experience "down under", there is yet to be a separation in practice from this ideology. I think that sermons on stewardship etc in the area of finances should probably tend more towards our giving/tithing etc rather than how to pay off the mortgage. of course this runs contrary to financial "wisdom" which says "hord and invest" or as Jesus quoted the rich man in Luke 12, "build bigger barns". cheers.
I didn’t mean to imply that Kenny was into “prosperity theology” – so I hope, if he reads this, isn’t thinking I was taking a swipe at him :) rather that, in my experience “down under”, there is yet to be a separation in practice from this ideology.

I think that sermons on stewardship etc in the area of finances should probably tend more towards our giving/tithing etc rather than how to pay off the mortgage. of course this runs contrary to financial “wisdom” which says “hord and invest” or as Jesus quoted the rich man in Luke 12, “build bigger barns”.

]]> By: daveingland http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-611 daveingland Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:53:52 +0000 http://www.daveingland.com/?p=785#comment-611 Albert: Thanks so much reading and for the comment! Glad to see I'm not alone in my thoughts. Your comment, " Jesus said, "the poor will always be with you". In which case they don't need a credit rating they need Christ!" is so great. Being good stewards of our finances is common sense to even those that don't know Jesus. I'm sure Kenny isn't looking at this as a prosperity teaching, but I do agree that it often lumped together with that theology. I don't see how teaching financial responsibility as a sermon series in the church helps to make the gospel known or people to want to passionately follow Christ. Thanks again. Albert: Thanks so much reading and for the comment! Glad to see I’m not alone in my thoughts. Your comment, ” Jesus said, “the poor will always be with you”. In which case they don’t need a credit rating they need Christ!” is so great. Being good stewards of our finances is common sense to even those that don’t know Jesus. I’m sure Kenny isn’t looking at this as a prosperity teaching, but I do agree that it often lumped together with that theology. I don’t see how teaching financial responsibility as a sermon series in the church helps to make the gospel known or people to want to passionately follow Christ. Thanks again.

]]> By: Albert Garlando http://www.daveingland.com/2009/06/10/the-churchs-role-in-financial-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-610 Albert Garlando Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:44:46 +0000 http://www.daveingland.com/?p=785#comment-610 good thinking! nothing can (or should in our feeble attempts!) replace the gospel! I like your point about financial "freedom" representing a false/alternate gospel. It is a very old idol. Even in conservative circles where "prosperity theology" is decried, financial freedom/independence is still deemed as some sort of litmus test of spirituality. e.g. if you're truly trusting/serving Christ etc etc than you would have this, that etc. Of course, that doesn't excuse being wise stewards etc as you've pointed out. I think the balance is in the area of serving for the sake of gospel opportunities - but even then the NT seems to consistently offer examples of the Church community supporting/serving each other, but not really the unsaved as a means to reach out. Jesus said, "the poor will always be with you". In which case they don't need a credit rating they need Christ! good thinking!
nothing can (or should in our feeble attempts!) replace the gospel!

I like your point about financial “freedom” representing a false/alternate gospel. It is a very old idol.

Even in conservative circles where “prosperity theology” is decried, financial freedom/independence is still deemed as some sort of litmus test of spirituality.
e.g. if you’re truly trusting/serving Christ etc etc than you would have this, that etc.
Of course, that doesn’t excuse being wise stewards etc as you’ve pointed out.

I think the balance is in the area of serving for the sake of gospel opportunities – but even then the NT seems to consistently offer examples of the Church community supporting/serving each other, but not really the unsaved as a means to reach out. Jesus said, “the poor will always be with you”. In which case they don’t need a credit rating they need Christ!

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