While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces … They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers …
- from Luke 20:45-47

Jesus warned his disciples to be wary of the big religious show. Behind the glitz hides a predatory hunger for power and prestige. And society’s most vulnerable members suffer most at the hands these religious figureheads.

Spiritual authority can go to our heads. Whether you’re leading small group or Sunday school, whether you’re leading a team in the church or mentoring a younger believer, whether you’re a prayer minister or just receiving a prayer request … we’re each susceptible to particular temptations that come with spiritual authority: to disguise our true selves, to love honor more than people, and to prioritize religious performance over compassion.

How does a person who has fallen to these temptations treat those who need a helping hand? That fallen leader cares more about being seen as being generous than actually practicing generosity. He or she will pay more attention to reputation than to the needs around them. He or she will inevitably shift resources away from caring for the poor.

When leaders fall to these temptations it drains trust: trust in the church and, tragically, trust in the Lord. We’ve been hesitant to discuss money because we know many people who’ve had negative experiences with money conversations in religious communities. We don’t want to add to the pain.

Our desire is to encourage everyone to wield whatever spiritual authority we have in ways that are full of the Spirit and integrity. We don’t want to be people who “devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.” Healthy conversations about God and money can help us become generous-hearted people.

Reflect on your experiences with money and church. How do conversations about money affect your level of trust with a spiritual community?