4. Money
According to Jesus the love of money is a deadly disease. He devoted 25% of the Sermon on the Mount to the subject of money and possessions. He prescribed the antidote to this particular heart disease to be through radical generosity and sacrificial giving for the Kingdom cause.
The symptoms of the disease are consumerism and materialism. It is a very real battleground and causes a subtle and slow erosion of faith as material things gradually take priority. Whilst there may be a few signs for this being a problem during the student years it manifests later in life as a worldview for financial security cements.
Advice for youth workers
I recently led a seminar for over 200 school leavers who would be heading off to university in 4 weeks time. I asked for a show of hands from those who had a budget in place and less than 20 hands went up. This is maybe not a surprise, but we can do something about it. As soon as young people have some say in what they spend their money on it is time to explore a theology of money and our attitudes to it. All school leavers with benefit from studying some of the theology behind budgeting, stewardship and giving. We need future generations to embody and value radical generosity.
Advice for churches near universities
Encourage regular giving from new students who join you, recommend a ‘tithe’ of the money they have allowed for themselves, for example, the money they would normally spend of socialising, entertainment, meals out and clothes.
Read the other blogs in the series:
Loneliness - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
Alcohol - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
Sex - A Christian Fresher’s 5 Biggest Battlegrounds
