I have forever struggled with the issue of money. Maybe it was because I was partially raised by an anthropologist who had certain ideas about wealth that made me instinctively distrustful of those with lots of money. Maybe it was because I have never gotten over the economically socialist ideals of my youth. Whatever it is, no matter how many conversations I have with wise and Godly people who tell me wealth is not incompatible with bearing the cross of Christianity, I can never shake the feeling that there is something wrong with having either a significant amount of money beyond what is necesary to support a comfortable lifestyle, or having a lifestyle that requires more than the average American income. And considering that the average American income is filthy rich by the rest of the world's standards, perhaps even this is too much.
I have usually supported these feelings through an approach to discipleship that says something like "if you're really a mature disciple, then you won't have a lot of money lying around" as if there's something inherently more holy about being poor. I have come to realize that thinking along these lines is not only false, but elitist as well. I think that in a vacuum, in some kind of perfect world, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having the splendors of David, Solomon, and Job; and enjoying the luxuries of the beautiful world He has provided.
Unfortunately, we don't live in a vacuum. This is where my where my line of thinking has led me. I drove to work today and watched a man hobble up to a dumpster on crutches and start digging through the trash. Even he is richer than the vast majority of people in Zimbabwe. Upon our shoulders has been placed the burden of the poor, and we have shrugged this responsibility and spent our money on digging ourselves a perpetuating lifestyle that requires more money than we have any business spending. I'm afraid I don't have the patience for playing games with people on this topic anymore. I'll still be open. But I'm tired of being "the devil's advocate." I'm convicted that America needs prophetic voices.
Does He want us to be happy, healthy, and wealthy? Sure. But I GUARANTEE YOU THAT BEING HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND WEALTHY DOES NOT REQUIRE A $300,000 HOUSE, TWO NEW CARS, AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF TOYS. There. I've said it. I'm not good at being mad and pushy. I'm stepping on toes and it makes me feel like junk, but I'm doing it because of the book of Hosea. I'm doing it because of the man at the dumpster and the nations of Africa who have to watch their children die of starvation in their arms. I'm doing it because of Jesus Christ who had nails driven through his wrist. He asked us over and over and over to feed His sheep.
Don't quit your jobs. Go and get promotions. Go become the head of every corporation in the world. Don't be a fool and neglect the needs of your family. But somewhere there is a place to live that is not dangerous that doesn't require you to buy ridiculous housing. There is no place on earth that requires you to drive a $40,000 car. Put away some money for retirement, so that you are not a burden when you're older. Put away some money for your kids for college. Put away some money for your daughter's wedding. And then give. Give everything else to God. Be competitive in your giving. It's not about how many more toys you have, but how many thousands of dollars you've given away and kept secret. Be a ninja of giving. Don't wait. If you need to sell your houses and cars, do it. See how God blesses you.
A Stumbling Prophet
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
7 Comments:
Exum is always recommending a good book to folks who think about stuff like this. I will pass the info on for you. It is called Colossians Remixed, by Walsh & Keesmaat. It sounds like it might just be up your alley.
Adios & Shalom...
thanks man -- i'll have to check it out.
Excellent post Bryan - a topic to chew on for sure among like-minded believers. Here's another subpoint that I dwell on. Look at our church, or most any church's budget. How much of that budget is self-serving? Debt service, salaries, supplies, utilities, etc. All things that make a church operate. But, you do wonder if these things help "equip the saints" or simply serve the saints?
And, so to be so techniqually challenged -but I can't find the link for your team mission effort. Thanks.
that last sentence should read "sorry" instead of "so" - I couldn't find your team link.
No problem Kent, the URL is http://www.teamarequipa.net
As to church budgets, I think that we have entrenched ourselves into a church culture that demands big comfy buildings, ample parking, and full time ministers. For better or worse, I know that God is capable of working powerfully through any imperfect human evdeavor. At our church, for instance, our Family Life Center was used during Rita. I think that if our church is going to spend so much money on things like a gym, they need to maximize on its use. The community should be using it every day.
Everything is God's, including money. We are told by the Bible to be good stewards of God's money. The Bible also says NOTHING positive of debt. In fact, it says many things negative about debt. So, if we're to get into a Financial/Religious discussion, I'd like to make a comment or two. If your belief is that someone can have too much, who decides what that is? If we disagree on whether there should be a limit for religious reasons, then I'd like to know if you follow the Bibles teachings that debt is bad. According to the Bible, it is not wise to borrow money. Since the Bible is "our Father's" love letter/directions/owners manual to us, shouldn't we obey and follow it. I think Christians should not finance cars, use credit cards or HELOC's. Also, we shouldn't support business' that profit off of or support companies that are in the "sin" business (alcohol, pornography, etc.) So, no grocery stores for Chritians either. Listen, if your a good steward of God's money, you can give, save and spend equally. Besides, thousands, if not millions of people make their living doing things like building yaughts, mansions, luxury cars, tailoring $3000 suits, selling expensive jewelry, selling super expensive organic foods, fine wines, etc. All these things that seem so excessive for one person or family to have are good for so many other familys. If the wealthy just stopped purchasing these things, think of all the families that would be hurt. You gotta look at the bigger picture. Sorry for not being more eloquent, but it's late.
thanks anonymous! i have replied to you as a new blog post. i hope you'll respond.
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