Money carries a weight of importance for life and living that demands our attention. Jesus himself indicates that our generosity with money reveals the extent to which our lives are in alignment with God and His Kingdom.
Luke 12:31-34 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Throughout Scripture, the heart represents the center of one’s being and one’s deepest desires, including one’s reason, convictions, emotions, and will. The disposition of one’s heart is reflected in the things that one values most.
If a man could put his “heart” under a microscope, it wouldn’t require but the most minimally observant person to determine whether the man valued the Kingdom of God or not. The observer would merely consider how the man spent his money; for the placement of his money would also be location of his desires, convictions, emotions, and will.
In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in order to instigate generosity in them to provide for the needs of the impoverished church in Jerusalem that the Corinthians might reveal themselves as recipients of the gospel of grace.
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