Theological Reflections on Matthew 19:16–26 in Nurturing the Giving Ministry of Generation Z

Joni Manumpak Parulian Gultom

doi:10.21697/ct.2024.94.2.06

Published: 2024-05-15

Vol. 94 No. 2 (2024)

Theological Reflections on Matthew 19:16–26 in Nurturing the Giving Ministry of Generation Z

Joni Manumpak Parulian Gultom

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.2.06

Abstract

This study aims to reflect on Matthew 19:16–26 as a theological offer to foster the capacity of financial giving practices in spiritual ministry for Generation Z. This is to anticipate the theology of prosperity, which is often misused, and the selfish management of wealth. This theological reflection is essential to understand that Generation Z views spiritual growth separately from the practice of blessing. The impact is that Generation Z needs to care more to support funds in spiritual activities and services around them. The research method applied consists in a descriptive qualitative approach through constructive analysis of scientific discourse. With the use of this method, it is argued that Generation Z needs some basic theological reflection regarding using God’s blessings to give funds and treasures after the COVID-19 pandemic in support of spiritual activities around them.

Keywords:

finance, generation Z, faith practice, spirituality, giving ministry

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Gultom, J. M. P. (2024). Theological Reflections on Matthew 19:16–26 in Nurturing the Giving Ministry of Generation Z. Collectanea Theologica, 94(2), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2024.94.2.06

Cited by / Share

Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

Blazer, A., “American Prosperity Gospel and Athletic Narratives of Success,” Religions 13/3(211) (2022) 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13030211.
Google Scholar

Casey, A.E., “Social Issues That Matter to Generation Z,” The Annie E Casey Foundation 2021, https://www.aecf.org/blog/generation-z-social-issues (03.02.2022).
Google Scholar

EVERFI Content Team, “4 Points about Gen Z Financial Literacy and Habits Your Bank Needs to Know,” Everfi.com 2022, https://everfi.com/blog/financial-education/how-gen-z-thinks-about-financial-literacy/ (access 15.08.2022).
Google Scholar

Francis, T. – Hoefel, F., “‘True Gen’: Generation Z and Its Implications for Companies,” McKinsey & Company, 2018, https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/consumer packaged goods/our insights/true gen generation z and its implications for companies/generation-z-and-its-implication-for-companies.pdf.
Google Scholar

Gultom, J.M.P., “Kepemimpinan Pelayan Mengajarkan Teologi Memberi Di Kalangan Pekerja Migran Indonesia Di Gereja Lokal Malaysia [Servant Leadership Teaches the Theology of Giving Among Indonesian Migrant Workers in a Malaysian Local Church],” Diagesis 5/1 (2022) 34–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53547/diegesis.v5i1.189.
Google Scholar

Jatmiko, B. – Zega, D.E., “Etika Keuangan Hamba Tuhan: Kajian Eksegetikal Terhadap 1 Timotius 6:3-10 [Servant of God’s Financial Ethics: An Exegetical Study of 1 Timothy 6:3-10],” Integritas: Jurnal Teologi 3/2 (2021): 133–147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47628/ijt.v3i2.79.
Google Scholar

Kadang, J., “Kontras Pandangan Yesus Dan Orang Muda Yang Kaya: Analisis Teologis Matius 19:16-26 [Contrasting Views of Jesus and the Rich Young Man: A Theological Analysis of Matthew 19:16-26],” EPIGRAPHE: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pelayanan Kristiani 5/2 (2021) 199–210. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33991/epigraphe.v5i2.294.
Google Scholar

Kinnaman, D., “How Mental Health Is the New Domain of Ministry to the Next Generation,” Barna.Com 2020, https://www.barna.com/research/mental-health-next-gen/ (access 12.01.2022).
Google Scholar

Konstantinou, I. – Jones, K., “Investigating Gen Z Attitudes to Charitable Giving and Donation Behaviour: Social Media, Peers and Authenticity,” Journal of Philanthropy and Marketing 27/3 (2022) e1764. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.1764.
Google Scholar

Mangiring, S., “Kajian Teologi Berkat Dalam Persepektif Alkitabiah (Theological Studies of Blessing in Biblical Perspective),” Jurnal Teologi Rahmat 5/2 (2019) 140–173.
Google Scholar

Meola, A., “Generation Z News: Latest Characteristics, Research, and Facts,” Insiderintelligence.com 2022, https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/generation-z-facts/ (access 25.07.2022).
Google Scholar

Naseri, Ch., “Blessing as ‘Security’, and ‘Antidote’ Against Curse in Luke 6:28a,” Cogito 14/2 (2022) 18–29, https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/blessing-as-security-antidote-against-curse-luke/docview/2685684840/se-2.
Google Scholar

Nel, M.J., “The Renouncement of Possessions According to Matthew 19:16-30,” HTS; Theological Studies 71/1 (2015) 1–12, https://www.academia.edu/16105889/The_renouncement_of_possessions_according_to_Matthew_19_16_30.
Google Scholar

Quick, C., “How Much Money Does a Typical Church Make per Year?,” Quora.Com 2023, https://www.quora.com/How-much-money-does-a-typical-church-make-per-year (05.01.2024).
Google Scholar

Ratrigis, A., “Makna Kehidupan Kekal Dalam Matius 19: 16-26 Dan Relevansinya Terhadap Orang Muda Katolik [The Meaning of Eternal Life in Matthew 19:16-26 and Its Relevance to Young Catholics],” Euentes 1/2 (2023) 1–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58586/je.v1i2.21.
Google Scholar

Rhee, H., “Philanthropy and Human Flourishing in Patristic Theology” Religions 9/11 (2018) 1–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9110362.
Google Scholar

Roa, D. – Dominggus, D., “Makna Hukum Tabur Tuai Menurut Galatia 6:7-10 Dan Implikasinya Bagi Orang Percaya Pada Masa Kini [The Meaning of the Law of Sowing Reap According to Galatians 6: 7-10 and Its Implications for Believers Today],” Voice of HAMI 4/1 (2021) 27–44.
Google Scholar

Samarenna, D., “Makna Frasa ‘Orang-Orang Terpilih’ Dalam Upaya Mengembangkan Daya Tahan Terhadap Resiliensi: 1 Petrus 1:1-2 [The Meaning of the Phrase ‘The Elect’ in Efforts to Develop Resistance to Resilience: 1 Peter 1:1-2],” HARVESTER: Jurnal Teologi Dan Kepemimpinan Kristen 6/1 (2021) 68–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52104/harvester.v6i1.68.
Google Scholar

Sauer, M., “55% of Millennials, Gen Zers Aren’t Prioritizing Saving – and That May Actually Be Smart, Expert Says,” Cnbc.com 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/14/why-most-millennials-and-gen-zers-arent-saving-money-right-now.html (15.08.2022).
Google Scholar

Simanjuntak, J.M., “Belajar Sebagai Identitas Dan Tugas Gereja [Learning as Church Identity and Duty],” Jurnal Jaffray 16/1 (2018) 1–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25278/jj71.v16i1.279.
Google Scholar

Simorangkir, S.L.B.L. – Sumarno, A.M., “Tinjauan Teologis Konsep Hidup Berkelimpahan Dalam Perspektif Teologi Kemakmuran [Theological Review of the Concept of Abundant Life in the Perspective of Prosperity Theology],” Ritornera – Jurnal Teologi Pentakosta Indonesia 1/2 (2021) 61–87.
Google Scholar

Sousa, M. – Dierendonck, D. van, “Servant Leadership and the Effect of the Interaction Between Humility, Action, and Hierarchical Power on Follower Engagement,” Journal of Business Ethics 141/1 (2017) 13–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/S10551-015-2725-Y.
Google Scholar

Stahl, A., “How Gen-Z Is Bringing a Fresh Perspective to the World of Work,” Forbes.com 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2021/05/04/how-gen-z-is-bringing-a-fresh-perspective-to-the-world-of-work/?sh=2811cee310c2 (access 03.07.2022).
Google Scholar

Stavrianea, A. – Kamenidou, I., “Generation Z and Religion in Times of Crisis,” Strategic Innovative Marketing. 5th IC-SIM, Athens, Greece 2016 (ed. A. Kavoura – D.P. Sakas – P. Tomaras; Cham: Springer 2017) 205–211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56288-9_28.
Google Scholar

Sukono, D., “Teologi ‘Manusia Baru’ Relevankah Di Era Milenial [The Theology of ‘New Man’ Is Relevant in The Millennial Era],” PASCA: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen 15/2 (2019) 39–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46494/psc.v15i2.59.
Google Scholar

Sukri, U. – Babawat, H., “Berkat Tuhan Berdasarkan Ibrani11:6b Dan Evaluasi Pembelajaran Teologis Terhadap Pandangan John Bevere Ditengah Jemaat Tuhan [God’s Blessing Based on Hebrews 11:6b and Theological Learning Evaluation of John Bevere’s View in the Midst of the Church of God]” Inculco Journal of Christian Education 3/2 (2023) 224–242. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59404/ijce.v3i2.154.
Google Scholar

Susanto, S. – Gultom, J.M.P. – Pakiding, H., “The Redesign of Theology of Giving as a Catalyst for Loving Humanity in a Pandemic Era,” Theologia 32/2 (2021) 257–274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21580/teo.2021.32.2.9546.
Google Scholar

Tetelepta, H.B. – Gultom, J.M.P., “Kontekstual Sinergisitas Gereja Dan Influencer Rohani Dalam Pembangunan Spiritual Generasi ‘Z’ [Contextualisation of Church Synergy and Spiritual Influencers in the Spiritual Development of Generation ‘Z’],” JIREH: Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity 4/2 (2022) 308–328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37364/jireh.v4i2.102.
Google Scholar

Wainarisi, Y.O.R., “Menelaah Persoalan Kemiskinan Melalui Narasi Persembahan Janda Miskin (Markus 12:41-44) [Examining Poverty Issues Through Narratives of Poor Widows’ Offerings (Mark 12:41–44)],” Jurnal Luxnos 5/1 (2019) 1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47304/jl.v5i1.71.
Google Scholar

Walker, M., “8 Urgent Insights on Gen Z That Every Pastor Needs to Know,” Crosswalk.com, 2019, https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/urgent-insights-on-gen-z-that-every-pastor-needs-to-know.html (access 06.01.2022).
Google Scholar

Ward, B., “Thy Kingdom Come in BAM as It Is in Heaven: Implications on Defining the Kingdom of God in BAM Businesses,” Religions 12/8 (2021) 557–569. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12080557.
Google Scholar

White, J.E., Meet Generation Z; Understanding and Reaching the New Post – Christian World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 2017).
Google Scholar