He Left In Sorrow… (Calvin)

The story of the wealthy young ruler is full of deep truths. You can read this story in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. The more you read it, study it, and meditate on it, the more truths you find in it. When I was studying this story as Mark records it I came …

On Tithing/Almsgiving (Augustine)

In one of his sermons on the rich young ruler (Mt. 19:16-24), Augustine had some helpful things to say about wealth and riches. He also brought up Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Here’s part of one of his sermons on the rich young ruler. Note how he answers the question about how much should …

Disciples and Stewardship: Give Without Expecting Anything Back

"...[T]he Bible's teaching about material possessions is inextricably intertwined with more 'spiritual' matters."  So writes Craig Blomberg in his helpful Bible survey of money, wealth, and possessions: Neither Poverty Nor Riches (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999).  Specifically thinking of Jesus' teaching and parables about wealth/possessions, it's important to note that stewardship is a big part …

Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory

I’m grateful to the folks at Cross Focused Reviews and Reformation Heritage Books for the opportunity to review Jeremiah Burroughs’ Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory for this week’s blog tour.  In case you haven’t heard of him, Burroughs (d. 1646) was a great Puritan preacher-theologian and a member of the Westminster Assembly. He is probably …

On the Parables of Jesus

 I've mentioned this great book on the parables awhile back: Klyne Snodgrass' Stories with Intent.  I was recently studying the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12.13-21.  I used Snodgrass as one of my main resources, and I was once again impressed by this book.  The format is outstanding.  Each parable is discussed in the following …