This past Sunday I had the privilege of teaching out of a chapter from Tim Keller’s book, Counterfeit Gods. It was part of a six week series that our adult small churches are currently working through. In preparation for the class I have been reading through Keller’s book; especially chapter 3, the chapter I was assigned. In this chapter Keller deals with the idol of wealth. While reviewing the material there were two quotes that I found to be particularly poignant. I thought that I would share them here as well.

Jesus, the God-man, had infinite wealth, but if he had held on to it, we would have died in our spiritual poverty. That was the choice – if he stayed rich, we would have died poor. If he died poor, we would become rich. Our sins would be forgiven and we would be admitted into the family of God. Paul was not giving us a mere ethical precept, exhorting them to stop loving money so much and become more generous. Rather, he was recapitulating the gospel. Jesus gave up all his treasure in heaven in order to make you his treasure – for you are a treasured people (1 Peter 2:9-10). When you see him dying to make you his treasure, that will make him yours. Money will cease to be the currency of your significance and security, and you will want to bless others with what you have. To the degree that you grasp the gospel, money will have no dominion over you. Page 67

What breaks the power of money over us is not just a redoubled effort to follow the example of Christ. Rather it is deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ, what you have in him, and then living out the changes that that understanding makes in your heart – the seat of your mind, will, and emotions. Faith in the gospel restructures our motivations, our self-understanding and identity, our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without a complete change of heart will be superficial and fleeting. Page 68