S6 Ep 7: Money According to the Letters of Paul

In the penultimate episode of the ‘Money According to the Bible’ season, Simon and Bex discuss various points made in the Letters of Paul about wealth, possessions and our attitudes towards them.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon explains that the focus of this episode will be on the money-related themes covered by Paul in his letters to new and developing churches [02:02]. Bex notes that a major point picked up by Paul is God’s ownership over everything, to which he draws attention in verses such as Romans 11.36 (“For from him and through him and for him are all things”) and 1 Corinthians 10.26 (in which Psalm 24.1 is quoted: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”). [02:44]
• A second major, recurring theme, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 9.6-15 for example, is that of giving generously and cheerfully. [04:20]
• Prompted by comments made in 1 Timothy 5.17-18 and then in Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2.9 & 2 Thessalonians 3.7-9), Bex asks Simon what he thinks Paul is saying about the kind of financial provision that should, or should not, be made for church leaders and teachers. [08:24]
• Bex and Simon discuss the implications of Paul’s inclusion of generosity in the list of spiritual gifts that he provides in Romans 12.6-8. [12:17]
• Simon refers to 1 Timothy 6.6-10 (which includes the well-known statement, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”) when talking about the need to train our hearts to be disposed towards ‘giving’ rather than ‘wanting’. [16:52]
• Simon identifies one final progression that is required to complete the journey of our hearts in their relationship with money: the importance of being motivated by love in all that we do, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13. [18:50]
• Simon draws attention to some of Paul’s other observations about money, wealth and possessions in his letters, including comments on issues relating to the workplace. [20:30]
• Quoting 2 Corinthians 12.14 (“Children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.”), Bex asks Simon what the financial relationship between parents - especially as they grow older - and their children should be. [24:11]
• When wrapping up the episode, Simon refers to 1 Timothy 6 again – verses 17-19 on this occasion – to emphasise the importance of the recurring message from the Bible that we should not rely on money but should regard it as a tool or a resource, instead placing our trust in God. [26:21]
• The final episode of this season will explore what the books of the New Testament that haven’t been covered yet, including the Book of Revelation, have to say about money. [28:33]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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