September 18, 2022: A Second Conversion

wheat field

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

A Second Conversion

Money in and of itself is not evil; money doesn’t have morals at all, either good or bad. Paul told Timothy that it is “the LOVE of money” that is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

John Wesley said, “The last part of a man to be converted is his wallet.” Martin Luther said, “Every man needs two conversions: the first, his heart, the second, his wallet!” Clearly, although it may take some time, ultimately the wallet can be converted.

God demands our undivided loyalty. Joshua declared, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). We must choose whether we will be loyal to God or to riches. A wealthy person can choose to serve and worship God and make God their priority. Ultimately, we are all stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We are responsible to God for how we use his many blessings. “From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). God will hold us all responsible for the use of the material wealth he gives us.

Only by dedicated service and worship of God can we be free from worshiping our wealth or possessions. Do you use your money for kingdom purposes? We are blessed by God so that we can bless God. Our possessions are not to be worshiped but to be used for the glory of God’s kingdom.

As believers we are to use our money to bring honor to God. Our Lord said that we should lay up treasures in heaven. God will hold us all responsible for the use of the material wealth he gives us.

Let us, therefore, be wise in the way we use our wealth and our possessions.

Dion Christopher, pastor in the South Florida Moravian Pastorate