Develop a Discipleship System
Wesley and My Wallet
By Ken Sloane
As you read this piece, the 2024 Wesley Pilgrimage in England will be underway. Discipleship Ministries and the General Commission on Archives and History are sponsoring this ten-day spiritual journey. It is designed to help local church clergy and laity become more familiar with the life of our founder, John Wesley, and to understand better what makes Methodist Christians unique. Each day, we visit another city that has had some impact on the life of John and Charles Wesley, founders of the Methodist movement that gave birth to many denominations, including The United Methodist Church. If you are interested, you can read more about next summer’s 2025 Wesley Pilgrimage here.
John Wesley was a prolific writer and preacher. One of his best-known sermons has to do with stewardship – I bet that doesn’t surprise you. “The Use of Money” is a classic three-point sermon and is memorable for these simple directions:
- “Gain All You Can.” Work hard and smart to earn as much as you can, but don’t do it at the expense of your health or by engaging in dishonest activities. Ensure your work is honest and doesn’t harm others.
- “Save All You Can.” Avoid wasting money on unnecessary things. Live simply, without spending excessively on luxuries or impressing others. Save your money for more important uses.
- “Give All You Can.” Use your money to help others. Support the poor, the sick, and those in need. Your wealth should make a positive difference in the world.
Wesley believed that by following these principles, the people of the Methodist movement would be good stewards of their money and use it to serve God and others, reflecting Christian values in their financial decisions. What Wesley feared later in his life was that some Methodists did well with gaining and saving but not so well with giving.
Wesley believed that by following these principles, the people of the Methodist movement would be good stewards of their money and use it to serve God and others, reflecting Christian values in their financial decisions.
Generosity as a mark of a Methodist was important to Wesley. Over eighteen years, he preached at least twenty-seven times on one favorite passage of scripture – Luke 19:9 – Zacchaeus’s response to Jesus’ invitation to be restored to the community. Wesley not only preached but also practiced the lifestyle that he preached.
John Wesley's perspective on money changed while he was at Oxford. After buying decorations for his room, he encountered a maid who had only a thin gown on a cold day. He wanted to help her but had no money left. This made him realize he had not used his money wisely. Starting in 1731, he limited his expenses to be able to give more to the poor. His income increased, but he kept his living costs low, giving away most of his earnings. Even when he made more than 1,400 pounds, he lived on thirty pounds and donated the rest. He lived with and supported the poor, setting up homes for widows and sharing meals with them, always looking forward to the heavenly banquet all Christians will share.
This is our heritage as United Methodists! We are blessed to be a blessing to others!
Ken Sloane is the Director of Stewardship & Generosity for Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.
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