Money Matters: Coaching Tips from Jesus

by Marilynn Chadwick

Throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus was always teaching. Sometimes he got his message across by preaching to a crowd, such as the Sermon on the Mount. Other times, he made a strong statement through his actions...like turning over the money-changers tables for their misuse of the temple (Luke 19). I think he got his point across, don't you?

Still other times, Luke points to how Jesus performed signs, wonders, and miracles to convey his message and especially to show the love and power of God. Like raising a widow's dead son (Luke 7), calming a storm; driving out a demon (Luke 8); Or feeding the 5000 (Luke 9). Miracles got a lot of attention and Luke records more healing miracles than any other Gospel. And he includes 24 angel stories, more than any book of the New Testament, second only to Revelation, earning Luke the nickname, "The Gospel of the Angels."

But Luke also shows how Jesus would often find teachable moments while doing ordinary life with his disciples. He might say something like, "don't do this but do this." "Don't be so busy and worried, Martha, but do spend time in my presence like Mary" (Luke 10). Or "Don't neglect the wounded neighbor in front of you like the religious leaders did; but do stop and care for him like the Good Samaritan [an outcast]." Jesus sounds a lot like any good coach, doesn't he?

We've seen how one of Jesus's most significant teachings about money took place in the Temple. He called out a group of corrupt religious leaders and lawyers. What was it about these religious leaders? Why did Jesus warn his followers about them?

"Look out!" he exhorted. "Don't listen to their teaching. Don't follow their example. And especially, don't love what they love."

And just what did they love? Luke points out how "They were lovers of money" (Luke 16:14). They loved status: "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets Luke 20:46).

They especially loved looking good—appearances mattered. They wanted to be seen in the right places wearing the right clothes at the right time. Always with an audience.

Maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking through Luke's Gospel, warning us to guard our hearts against the love of money, the love of status, and the love of looking good. Social media tempts us to compare. Appearances are deceitful. But Jesus sees our heart. As my husband David is fond of saying, "The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart."