Week 1: Incarnation

Incarnation and Money

The God of all creation, the one who formed every tiny speck of dirt and massive distant galaxy, became naked and covered in blood as a baby. He entered into the nothingness of birth. He brought nothing into the world. He was born naked. He was quickly wrapped in cloth and laid in a borrowed manger. In his crucifixion, he took nothing out of the world. He was dead naked. He was wrapped in cloth and laid in a borrowed tomb.

Yet, we know that he brought everything eternal into the world through his birth. He brought the full grace and truth of the Father. We know that he took all the sin and shame of a dying world to the tomb in his death. He revealed the fullness of the Father’s glory.

These are massive theological concepts: the incarnation and the crucifixion. Yet, in today’s reading, the final reading for our week of incarnation, these concepts lay the foundation for discussing our world's most economically practical and tangible item: money.

Have you ever thought about your relationship with money and wealth through the perspective of the incarnation? All week we have practiced incarnation as we are being Gospel formed. In this final section of Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see the Gospel directly encounter our relationship with money and wealth. Paul charges Timothy to be Gospel formed, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” The Gospel flips upside down the idea that the continual accumulation of wealth marks success. Jesus becomes nothing in the incarnation as the true marker of godliness. If money is the currency of success, godliness is the currency of a Gospel formed life.

As you read through this passage today, note two things. First, this entire passage is about our relationship with money. It is specifically and intentionally bracketed by a discussion of wealth accumulation in v. 6-10 and 17-19. That means that all the things Paul discusses between these two chunks concern our relationship with money. Second, note as you read the text how many different parts of the Gospel (incarnation, ascension, etc.) Paul either references explicitly or alludes to it in his discussion of money.

As we finish the week talking about being incarnationally formed, consider how your relationship with money can hinder or strengthen the Spirit's work in forming you.