Finance and Forgiveness 

God on Monday
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The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.(…) Out of pity for him, the Lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him (…). Seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.' (Matthew 18.23-28)

Reflection

As a Christian and entrepreneur, I have often wondered how faith fits with finances. Specifically, what is the relationship of money to the kingdom of God?

Some years ago, a newly hired employee confessed to having made a significant business mistake that cost our young company a great deal of money. The employee expected to be fired but asked if they could repay the loss from their wages, which would have taken many years.

We were faced with a choice. But was the choice merely financial, or did it have kingdom consequences?

In the parable cited above, as in several other instances in the gospels, Jesus used finance to model God’s kingdom, and consequently God’s nature. That nature is one of accountability yet also of forgiveness.

In the parable, a king holds his servant accountable for his debt and yet forgives it. The king also holds his servant accountable for passing on to others the forgiveness he had received from the king. Jesus appears to be saying that our forgiveness from God is to be reflected in our forgiveness towards others.

Returning to the costly mistake made by our new employee, we decided in favour of forgiveness. While there were many reasons for this decision, at the root was our own experience of God’s mercy. This allowed us to consider not only the value of the lost money to the company but also the value of forgiveness to this person. 

The employee has often recalled this event, telling how it impacted them in two ways. First, in understanding God’s undeserved forgiveness. Second, in extending that forgiveness to others.

While money plays an obvious role in business, it also has a role in God’s kingdom. For Jesus shows us, by means of a graphic and arresting parable, how finance can express the kingdom of God, whose nature is always to have mercy.

Response

Ask yourself how your relationship with God expresses itself in your relationships with others. Commit to act on whatever the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your forgiveness and the freedom this has given me. Help me to overlook wrongdoing, misdeed, pain, and hurt by extending that forgiveness to people around me, including those with whom I work. By your Spirit alone do I have the power to act. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up to Faith in Business here to receive each God on Monday instalment.  
   

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