Talking Points with President Woodford: How Much are You Worth?
In 1815 Napoleon was defeated in the battle of Waterloo. The hero of that battle was the Duke of Wellington. Interesting is that one of the Duke’s more recent biographers claims to have an advantage over all the other previous biographers. His advantage was that he had found an old account ledger showing how the Duke had spent his money. This, says the biographer, was a far better clue to what the Duke thought was really important than just reading his letters or his speeches.
What if someone wrote your biography on the basis of your checkbook or your income-tax returns? What might they say about you, your loyalties, your focus, and about whom you serve?
It’s often easy to forget that the money we have in our wallets, checkbooks, credit cards, and bank accounts is not truly our money. We are merely stewards of the finances that God has provided us. As Christians, we are, therefore, caretakers of the money and possessions He has placed into our hands.
So, what would your checkbook and receipts say about your priorities and how you spent your money? Would generosity towards others be a part of that record? Would the LORD and His Church be a consideration in your spending equation? Often, it’s easy to get lost in what society says about our worth and value. We read it in the headlines all the time. A sports player signs a multimillion-dollar contract, a movie star is paid millions per movie, and Elon Musk and Warren Buffet are worth hundreds of billions.
So, let me ask you, how much are you worth? That’s not a snide way of me trying to get access at your checkbook. It’s an honest question to help you reflect on your eternal value. You could certainly look at your wallet, credit cards, checkbook, and bank accounts, but I would invite you to hear the Word of God. You are worth so much that God gave His one and only Son to die for you so that you may have eternal life (John 3:16)!
Luther’s Small Catechism says it this way, “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God…has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death…”
You see, you are worth more than any amount of money. Forbes may have their list of the wealthiest people in the world, but God has His list. No one surpasses the wealth of God. He is happy to give that eternal wealth to you through Jesus Christ. In Jesus, there is hope to be found. Through Jesus there is comfort to be had. With Jesus there is perseverance through life’s challenges and guidance in life’s difficulties. Trusting in Jesus makes being a steward of God’s blessings freeing rather than burdening. It means we can give out of gratitude rather than a grumpy or guilty attitude.
Through His Holy Spirit, Jesus provides you with the power and the desire to be a faithful steward. By faith, Jesus is at work in you. And whatever stewardship decisions you make, Jesus gives you the ability to live your life in hope, in wisdom, and with confidence. In fact, His love for you does not depend upon how much you give to your church, or district, or Synod. His love is unconditional and irreversible. It’s worth more than any amount of money. Though it cost Jesus His life to give it to you, He gives it to you free of charge. That is Good News no bank account could ever track or contain!
In Christ,
Rev. Dr. Lucas V. Woodford
President, MN South District, LCMS
