All That You Can

Luke 16:9

What do you consider a spiritual discipline? I’m sure that many of us would name prayer, reading the bible, and fasting as some of the easily identifiable ones. But have you ever considered that your financial giving is a spiritual discipline as well? A spiritual discipline is a regular practice in which we engage to grow closer to God. Chrisian thinkers and theologians have written tomes about spiritual disciplines. Quaker theologian Richard Foster wrote the modern classic about spiritual disciplines, “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth” almost 50 years ago, and it is still a favorite among Christians of all stripes. One of the disciplines he discusses is simplicity, or how we relate to our possessions and money. For Foster, when we are focus on or are attached to material things, it leaves little room to focus and nurture our attachment to God. Living simply is to forgo that attachment and relentless pursuit of more money and more stuff.

This concern about attachment to wealth gave John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement, an uneasiness, even in the 18 th century. He believed that giving, particularly financial, was a central spiritual discipline to live a life of holiness. Wesley began preaching about financial giving as early as 1741 and continued to preach his sermon entitled “On the Use of Money” at least until 1758. In that sermon, Wesley encouraged three rules for all Methodists (and Christians) to follow in regards to money. Many of you may be familiar with them. Rule 1: Gain all that you can, without hurting anyone or anything. Rule 2: Save all that you can. Rule 3: Give all that you can, to those who are hurting and needy. Wesley went so far as to imply that you shouldn’t save up money just to pass it down to your children. (I wonder how that sits with folks these days.)

These rules weren’t just guidelines to prudence and simple living. They were practices that help us grow closer to God. We are blessed to be a blessing. We don’t just accumulate wealth for the sake of having more. And when we do receive money, we are not to be wasteful. We are to be good stewards of it. But we don’t save it and sock it away forever. Our blessings are meant to bless others. Engaging in practices of blessing through giving is a spiritual discipline.

Would your budget look different if you followed Wesley’s rules from his sermon and what would you do differently? Like all spiritual disciplines, it can take a while for the practice to take root. So while these rules may seem foreign or difficult, give them a try and see what they do for your relationship with God.

Prayer
God, everything we have comes from You. Help us work hard and wisely, using our gifts in ways that honor You and bless others. Teach us to be careful with what we earn—to save what we need, to live simply, and not to waste what could do good. And most of all, fill us with generous hearts so that we may use our blessings to bless others. Amen.

Rev. Dana Ezell