The parable of the ten minas shows that what we do with our money reveals what we believe about God and His kingdom. 

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus teaches that repentance needs to include a change of heart behavior, including the use of wealth and possessions for the care and well-being of those who are poor and needy like Lazarus.

In the parable of the dishonest manager, the way to serve God rather than money is to put one’s resources to the service of others and the work of the kingdom.

The parable of the prodigal son may be the most well-known parable of Jesus. The generosity of the Father, the selfish frugalness of the older brother, and the repentant recklessness of the younger brother reveal what they believe about the kingdom of God. 

Jesus warns against making a hasty decision to follow Jesus. Potential disciples must first count the cost to see if they will persevere in the faith. We must trade in our discount discipleship for a lifetime of carrying our cross to follow Him.

Jesus warns of the danger of possessions coming between us and the kingdom. He teaches that we must use our money to serve God, not use God in order to serve our lust for money. How we manage the money God has given us allows us to be rich toward God.

The parables of Jesus reveal the secrets of the kingdom of God for those who have ears to hear them. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to ask not "Who is my neighbor?" but "How can I be a neighbor?"

Our definition of love has become watered-down, expressing affection for our closest loved ones or our favorite foods. But the Bible’s definition of love is a long-suffering love that transcends feelings and emotions. We must love one another like God has loved us. 

The church is God’s plan for His people to love and live with one another. The early church in Acts 2 gives a picture of the ideal Christian community in a "one another" context.

"The only time the Bible encourages competition among Christians is this: outdo one another in showing honor. There is a competition happening in 2024. A people of encouragement will change the game and tip the scales toward the Kingdom."