Central to Spirituality

Major Dean A. Millard, USMC (Ret.)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

I’ve been reading a book called "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn. In it, he made a very interesting observation about the ministry of John the Baptist. In the third chapter of Luke, John was preaching that the people should live their lives in a way that produced fruit in keeping with repentance (v.8).

The crowd listening to John asked him what they should do. Even though there were many other things that John could have said, he answered that they should share their clothes and food with the poor (v.11).

Then some tax collectors asked him what they should do. John answered that they should not collect more taxes than required (v.13). Lastly, some soldiers asked him the same question. John answered that they should not extort money and to be content with their wages (v.14).

Although each answer relates to money and possessions, that wasn’t what the various groups asked. They weren’t asking about money, but about repentance. They wanted to know how to live a life that showed spiritual fruit. So why didn’t John answer their questions?

Why didn’t he talk about things other than money and possessions?

John the Baptist really was answering their questions. He knew that their attitude toward their possessions and money was not just important-—it was central to their spiritual lives.

So, John couldn’t talk about spirituality and a life showing spiritual fruit without talking about money and possessions.

John the Baptist was also talking to me. Many times, I try to separate my faith and my finances, but God doesn’t see them as separable. The point is, there’s a basic connection between our spiritual lives and our money and possessions. That’s why Jesus talked so much about money and possessions.

How do you think about and handle your money? Do you try to separate your faith from your finances, or are they central to your spirituality?