You shall have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:3No slave can serve two masters… you cannot serve God and wealth. - Luke 16:13The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. - 1 Timothy 6:10

These three biblical texts are keys to understanding the five studies offered in Money Talks. It is not possible for a disciple of Jesus Christ to replace the worship of God with the worship of wealth.

The studies acknowledge that, like most people, Christians find it difficult to talk about money but here there is both a new and an old context for such a discussion. The 2018 Banking Royal Commission alerted us to the use and abuse of money as the source of profound harm in Australian society, while Indigenous perspectives highlight colonialism’s priority for economic growth over social and environmental justice, prompting deeper reflection on the issues of wealth that are at the heart of the studies.

The Gospels of Luke and John invite reflection on how the teachings of Jesus call us to reflect seriously on the attraction of wealth and the need for individuals and churches to get our priorities right in this area. The studies also focus on the business ethics, powerlessness, responsibility, forgiveness and wellbeing experienced by employees in the finance sector, when treatment by their employers resulted in threats, job losses and personal tragedies. Using actual case studies, groups are asked to reflect on their own experiences of acting with integrity and compassion in challenging life situations. Suggestions for personal and congregational practical action are also provided.