Luke 8:1-3 “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
These women were competent, committed female followers of Jesus. They were grateful financial supporters and were bold and loyal to the point of ministering to Jesus through His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Principle:Money is not inherently immoral or tainted as it passes through the hands of Godly people.
Mary Magdalene was a beautiful, “successful,” prosperous ex-prostitute. Joanna and her husband were wealthy. Joanna’s husband served one of the evilest, riches-loving men in the area. He was a ruthless ruler without conscience. Herod was fearful and disrespectful of Jesus. When Jesus faced him, he would not give Jesus the time of day.
The money trail and source of funds from these two female followers of Jesus was – well, awful. I don’t know about Susanna. Titus 1:11 calls this “filthy lucre,” or shameful gain. But here in Luke we see God used those profits, given over to him, for his purposes.
A pastor acquaintance was on a flight to his home state of Wisconsin. Next to him was a brewery executive. The pastor mentioned the expansion plans of the church and their fund-raising program. The brewery executive admired the pastor and liked the expansion plans. He offered an anonymous, sizeable gift to the project. The pastor politely declined because the money would be tainted from the brewery source. There were no conditions to the gift. No naming or public disclosures.
The pastor had his reasons. He opposed alcohol. His congregation had some recovering alcoholics. He was trusting God to complete the work. He might have had reservations about the intentions of his flight companion. I wonder if he presented Christ to the executive.
Discussion:
1. How do you feel about the pastor’s response to the brewery executive?
2. Does money get “laundered” when it passes through the hands of people who have been redeemed?
3. Would “Kingdom” contributions from an ex-drug dealer or former Mafia member be acceptable if they were truly born-again believers? If yes, how do you reconcile that idea? If no, why not?
