A Money Prayer
Midnight musings:
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a Donor Briefing Conference for the Fellowship for Performing Arts (FPA), a NYC theatre company dedicated to producing theatre from a Christian perspective. In 2018, I had worked with FPA to bring Max McLean to UC Berkeley for the Most Reluctant Convert. Through the many months of emails, phone calls, and administrative meetings, I came to really respect and admire the people at FPA who truly sought to honor God in their mission of producing Broadway-quality entertainment that engaged audiences in deeper questions about God’s existence and the meaning of life. Having experienced firsthand the impact that McLean’s nearly sold-out play had on students who otherwise would not have access to such wholesome, challenging entertainment, I was more than delighted to share my experience at two Donor Briefing Conferences this year.
Like last time, I was pretty awe-inspired to spend time with potential donors who have the capacity to donate tens of thousands to millions of dollars. But I was even more inspired by the down-to-earth friendliness and humility that these Christians exhibited. Even just judging by the way these folks dressed — tastefully but not extravagantly — you would have been hard-pressed to find any hint of show-off.
More importantly, these donors saw their wealth as a kingdom asset, not as a worldly liability. They viewed their riches as a tool, not as an entitlement and not as a status indicator. They were committed to dealing scrupulously in business and refused to compromise morally (e.g. I met a plastic surgeon who chose not to teach or practice gender reassignment surgeries). Many chose to live below their means, in order to invest their wealth responsibly and give generously. They sought to honor God in everything, especially with their finances.
These donors came from a variety of backgrounds and careers and all had unique stories of how God brought them to where they were. As a recent college graduate, I was pretty inspired to dream big and to realize that Christians can totally be wealthy, generous, and humble. This time and last time, though, I felt a big check in my heart. Am I simply coveting the comfort and security that money promises, or do I truly aspire to invest and increase my talents so that I can further the kingdom of God? If I truly “make it big” one day, would I have maintained the right posture throughout the years to still obey God faithfully with my finances?
You see, I always assumed that love of money is a temptation that would sorely test me later in life, when I actually had money to love. But what I’m realizing now is that I don’t need a lot of money to love it. In Jesus’ parable of the talents, the servant with the least amount of money fell the hardest into this sin, loving his money so much that he refused to do anything but hoard the little that he had. We criticize the wealthy who selfishly hoard their riches, because we understand the societal impact that their resources, generously invested and shared, could otherwise have. However, I would argue that the wealthy are not necessarily prone to greater temptation — we all likely know people who own little but are extremely stingy misers and hoarders, to their own detriment.
So this Money Prayer is for myself — not just my future maybe-wealthy self, but my current broke-as-will-ever-be self. I believe that wealth is a blessing from God, but I also remember that I am never entitled to any of it. A right view of money starts now; a generous heart starts now. In wealth or poverty, Christ is sufficient for me. All I have is His, and all Christ has is mine (Romans 8:17).
Jesus, grant me freedom from love of money. May my heart extol no other god besides you. May my soul love no other, not even secondarily, besides you.
Jesus, grant me grace to be faithful. May I steward your talents with integrity, thankfulness, and diligence. May I honor you as the creator and giver of all things, who is able to make all grace abound to me.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9:8
Jesus, grant me trust to live life with an open hand. May my hand receive your blessings thankfully when you give. May my hand hold nothing back when you take away.
When you take away, grant me honesty to approach your throne with questions. Grant me trust in your sovereignty to joyfully praise your holy name. Grant me humility to rely on You and on others for provisions material and spiritual.
When you give, grant me thankfulness to recognize you as the giver of every good and perfect gift. Grant me generosity to sow in your kingdom and bless those around me. Grant me the vision to see beyond the material realm into the spiritual realm.
Jesus, grant me not a vision of scarcity, but a vision of abundance. If my Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, I know that He can provide. My Daddy is not stingy with his gifts, but He plans to prosper and not to harm me. In the same way, I want to be exceedingly generous towards others. Even when what You give is not what I want, I can trust that You are always good.
Jesus, grant me perspective to sow bountifully, not sparingly. Grant me the discipline to tithe faithfully, and even more. Whatever my personal situation, grant me the wisdom to invest in people and missions that steward resources with transparency, godliness, and fruitfulness. Grant me the cheerfulness to give back to you what was already yours.
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2 Corinthians 9:6–7
Jesus, grant me the smarts to invest wisely. Remind me to listen to your Spirit and to seek your guidance on all decisions big and little. Surround me with people who will provide clarity and sound advice in times of need.
Jesus, grant me wisdom to view wealth rightly. Without shame, may I rightly acknowledge and enjoy the blessings you have freely bestowed upon me. May I rightly remember that you have also enriched me in every way, so that I can be generous in every way. Keep pride and greed far away from me!
You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. — 2 Corinthians 9:11
Jesus, grant me a childlike spirit to obey you without hesitation. Surround me with brothers and sisters who will hold me accountable in times of temptation. Grant me a clear conscience to know when I’ve strayed.
Holy Spirit, give me dove’s eyes to identify the false allure of illicit pleasures, bribery, and ill-gotten power. Keep me from temptation, and deliver me from sinful desires. May I never become a slave to comfort, shackled in golden handcuffs. When you bless me, may my heart always be ready to walk away from your blessings, should you call me to do so.
Jesus, grant me wisdom to balance God-given aspirations with God-given perspective. As Jesus did, may I grow in favor with you and with man. May I pursue the dreams you’ve given me without hindrance, while remembering your command to rest on the Sabbath.
Jesus, grant me the time management to put first things first. May my days always begin with worshipping you. May my nights always end with worshipping you.
Jesus, free me from the desire to elevate life’s busyness above you. May I be like Mary, who sat at your feet even with a thousand pressing tasks. May I learn to rest my head on a pillow knowing that you calm my storms.
Jesus, grant me humility to always remember that you came to earth as the son of a carpenter. May I always remember and share with those lesser than me. May I never envy those with more than me.
Jesus, may I always remember my roots. May I praise you for allowing me to stand on the shoulders of my parents and those who came before me. Keep me grounded.
Jesus, may I remain thankful all my days for everything you have given and taken away. Grant me the contentment to live a simple life, below my means. Free me from the never-ending desire to acquire more, to climb higher, to boast louder. Yet, only insofar as these desires please and glorify you, give me the motivation and strength to work hard, seek goals, and trust you for results.
Even when you bless me, Lord, grant me poverty of spirit, that I may always hunger and thirst for your righteousness.
Keep my eyes always fixed on you, not on what you can give.
Let my thoughts, words, and deeds glorify your name. May my submission to you and my generosity towards your church cause others to glorify your name. May I live life in a posture of praise and thanksgiving for all that you have done.
They will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others. — 2 Corinthians 9:13b
With wealth, with prayers, with service, with life — may I be like Mary of Lazarus, who poured out her alabaster flask of costly oil at your feet. Everything I have is yours. Everything I have came from you.
Even when it costs, I will give you everything. This is my prayer and my desire.
