All Nations Presbyterian Church

“I want money…that’s what I want.” This song chorus from the Flying Lizards summarizes our usual attitude towards money. It is a good thing that we always need more of. But should Christians think any differently about money to those who don’t know Jesus?

We don’t want money because we like little pieces of metal and plastic, but because it represents something else to us. Firstly, money represents pleasure – it means we can buy better experiences in life.  But we need to heed the warning of Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 where Solomon points out that even having everything you want ultimately doesn’t make you happy. Secondly, money represents security – we can be secure in knowing our future will be looked after and our possessions will be safe.  But this is also not true, as Matthew 6:19-21 points out.  All it takes is an accident or a stock market crash and we realize we are not as we think even if we have all the money we need. Thirdly, money represents success and happiness – it is how we know we have succeeded in life.  But again we need to listen to the Bible in 1 Timothy 6.  Contentment comes from knowing Jesus and wanting money above all things simply leads to troubles.

We need money, and money is indeed a good thing from God. But you cannot be friends with God or get to heaven due to your money or possessions.  Salvation is a free gift.  So we need to see money as a gift from God we need to use well, not just to serve ourselves but to serve others.

(Based on Bible Cafe teaching, 14 May 2010).

It is not difficult to make Christians feel guilty.  Most Christians know they could do better at prayer, at telling others about Jesus, about being holy. And the parable of the talents, in Matthew 25:14-30, makes most Christians feel like this. If Jesus was to come back and ask us what we had done with what he has given us, would we be happy to answer?

Despite how it seems to read, this parable is actually about the wonder of God and his grace to his servants. The master gives his servants a ridiculously large amount of money and entrusts them to look after it. They are only servants, yet they are trusted with so much and even get to work the family business! These servants are more like sons. Two of them respond well to this act of grace and put their money to work, while the third does not.  He thinks badly of his master as mean and unfair and does not work at all.

So what should Christians do with what God gives them? It all comes down to seeing what their Master is really like – gracious and generous. He gives us resources, talents, money and we should use them well for Him. This is not about guilt, but about an appropriate response of hard work and thankfulness. It is not as if we get the huge gift at the end – we have already received it if we trust in Jesus! Let’s get to it, and work in the family business, building up Christians and reaching out to others.

(Based on ANPC Sunday teaching, 16 May 2010 ).

Most of us have a passport. That means we are representatives of the country who issued this passport to us – that is the country we legally belong to.  For Christians, the place we ultimately belong is heaven and not an earthly country (1 Peter 2:9-10).  You have an impressive citizenship, and are even chosen to be royalty!

If this is true, it means as we live in our earthly countries and cultures, we need to be good representatives of heaven. Christians are described as “travellers and exiles” on this earth (1 Peter 2:11).  When people see you, you might be the only Christian they know – their impression of you might be their impression of Jesus and of heaven. We need to be a good example before those we work with and live near.  Who know? Maybe our influence will help lead them towards also following Jesus (1 Peter 2:12).

This also means we need to submit to the government and justice system of our society, for they are put there by God (Romans 13). Unless they tell us to do something God does not approve, we need to be obedient and good examples to others. This includes paying our taxes and obeying the road rules! Christians should be excellent citizens of the country they live in as they wait for their real passport to be stamped in heaven.

(Based on ANPC Sunday teaching, 9 May 2010 ).

Alcohol is a major influence on Perth society.  Statistics show that even among 14-19 year olds, 25% drink alcohol at least weekly (2006 census), but most of us don’t need statistics to know that.  Alcohol dominates how many people spend their recreation time.

What does the Bible say about alcohol? Well, perhaps a little surprisingly to many, the Bible has more positive than negative references to alcohol.  Wine is a sign of blessing from God, used in sacrifices to God, allowed in celebrations, and even created by Jesus.  What is warned against is drunkenness, which affects our bodies badly and is not appropriate for those who trust in Jesus.

As to how Christians view alcohol, God leaves a lot up to our wisdom. Some say that we should avoid it altogether as it has negative effects on society. Others say it is a good gift from God and gives us more relational opportunities with those who don’t know Jesus.  What is clear is that God should be what dominates our life and gives us enjoyment, rather than alcohol.

(Based on Bible Cafe teaching, 5 May 2010).

We all so easily split our lives into categories.  For example, Christians can split their lives into ‘Christian things’ like going to church and reading your Bible and ‘non-Christian things’ like going to work and changing nappies. But it’s not quite so neat in real life.  Being a Christian should affect everything we do, including our work.

The Bible says quite a lot about the workplace, but usually about slaves and masters (as in Ephesians 6:5-9).  In our modern age we are paid for our labours and free to leave, but the idea of working under someone in authority is the same. The temptation is to slack off and work hard when we are being watched, while the temptation for employers is to work our employees too hard and reward them too little.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that Jesus is our real boss.  We need to work as if we are working for him, not our real boss with all his failings. So we need to obey our boss with sincerity, even when he is not around.  God will reward you, even if your current boss does not.

One thing we need to watch for is making our work the reason we live, what gives our life purpose and meaning.  Jesus is not just our real boss, he is the one who gives us purpose and meaning.  Looking for this in work will only leave us disappointed.  We need to work hard, knowing it is in Jesus we will finally find fulfilment and rest.

(Based on ANPC Sunday teaching, 2 May 2010 ).