Andy Borgmann's Blog

I came across the most profound sketch on Saturday Night Live the other day. The context: Tina Fey is interviewing Donovan McNabb's Mother (Charline) about the upcoming SuperBowl game between her son's Philadelphia Eagles and the favorite-to-win New England Patriots.

Tina Fey: W- wait, you- you’re betting on the Patriots?

Charline McNabb: That’s right! I like my son, but I love my money.

This post is not meant to advocate (or not-advocate) gambling. I take a neutral stance on gambling because honestly, I can't really figure out what Jesus says about gambling. But I digress.

The more I come in contact with American Christians, the more I realize that a modified version of this statement rings all too true. While I think when asked, most Christians would proclaim that their faith is more important than money, but their actions would proclaim something far different. Their actions would essentially say, "That's right! I like my Jesus, but I love my money."

This is why Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic (yes including sex, which is way down the list). Jesus knew the heart of people was their money and it is why He said it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get in the kingdom of heaven. This isn't because money is wrong, but because money is so alluring. It isn't obvious that often times our faith and our money conflict with each other. It's far more subtle than that.

I don't honestly know if I am "safe" on this one. I have to live by faith and ultimatley trust God. I'd like to say that I love my Jesus more than I love my money, but I don't know. By American standards I am hardly wealthy (although I do alright). However, in a world where making more than $25,400 puts you in the richest 10%, I have to say I am quite rich. And that is what scares me. I make sure I tithe, I give beyond tithing to other charities and needs, and I have devoted all that I know how to do to serving Jesus Christ. But all this doesn't make me any less a slave to money (in fact, it may make me more of a slave). In the end, I hope I can say, "That's right! I like my money, but I love my Jesus" (as cheasey as that may sound).