Introduction to Money, Sex and Power

The Challenge of the Disciplined Life
Christian Reflections on
Money, Sex & Power (MSP)

By Nai Kyn
(Based on the book by Richard Foster)



Why Money, Sex & Power (MSP)

• Inseparably intertwined – interlacing connections


• Need is great – fresh articulation of what it means to live faithfully with regard to MSP


• Historically, spiritual revivals have been accompanied by a clear, bold response to the issues of MSP – ethically potent spiritual experience

Social Implications

• MONEY


• Social Dimension - Business


• Negative Implications - Oppression


• Positive Implications - Blessing


• SEX


• Social Dimension - Marriage


• Negative Implications - Alienation


• Positive Implications - Intimacy


• POWER


• Social Dimension - Government


• Negative Implications - Tyranny


• Positive Implications - Liberty

Transformed by God’s Power

• Inherently within the institutional structures themselves are destructive forces that need to be transformed by the power of God if they are to benefit human society
  (Ephesians 6: 12)



Historic Vows



• Monastic Movement (Renouncement)


• MONEY


• Poverty - Detachment


• SEX


• Chastity - Vacancy


• POWER


• Obedience - Service


• Puritan Movement


• MONEY


• Industry - Sanctity of work/Vocation is a calling; Moderation in work/Anti-workaholic


• SEX


• Faithfulness - Companionship


• POWER


• Order - Mutual commitment of support & accountability


• Our Time?


• MONEY


• Reject the modern mania for wealth without a morbid asceticism


• SEX


• Affirming sexuality without encouraging promiscuity


• POWER


• Bringing authority and submission into proper balance




An Unholy Trinity
1 John 2: 15 – 17



• “the craving of the sinful man”


• Greed


• “the lust of his eyes”


• Lust


• “the boasting of what he has and does”


• Pride




‘Road-blocks’ Ahead?



• Double-mindedness (Matthew 19: 16 – 22)


• Confusion due to immaturity (Ephesians 4: 14)


• Blinded spiritually (2 Corinthians 4: 4)




Questions for Discussion



• Has the Church given adequate, or inadequate, instruction on the issues of MSP?


• What can we learn from both the Monastic Vows and Puritan Vows on the issues of MSP?


• Of the three ‘road-blocks’ mentioned, which ones are you struggling with w.r.t the issues of MSP?