Yesterday I went to a wedding in Dallas. The wedding crowd consisted mainly of guests from the Highland Park community, a wealthy suburb of Dallas. This is the Dallas version of the community I grew up in in San Antonio. So for most of my life now, I have gone to school with a good number of well to do kids or have grown up in a neighborhood whose occupants are for the most part quite prosperous.
See, the funny thing is, you, or I, nor anyone for that matter, has a choice of where you are born or the family to which you are born, or the socioeconomic class to which you are born into.
Statistics largely bear out that the socioeconomic class you are born into is the one you'll die in. Socioeconomic advancement or decline for the majority of Americans, world citizens, whoever you might be, just doesn't happen.
Sure, you hear of rags-to-riches success stories, even more of them in America, but the majority of people around the world will more or less stay in the same socio-economic class for their lifetime.
If you think about the reasons surrounding and supporting that claim, they make a lot of sense. But that's an entire other post altogether.
So anyways, can one be wealthy and have a relationship with Jesus? Can one be wealthy and pursue Jesus with all his or her heart?
Those are really two separate questions.
In the midst of the wedding and the reception, I got to thinking about this more (I have thought about it a ton already). I have to admit, I had judgements before (and still do) the wedding about people who are rich and how that plays into a relationship and pursuing Jesus.
I was able to take a walk around this neighborhood in Dallas, and I was mammothly impressed by how large some of the houses in this neighborhood are. Not only that, the architecture is really fascinating on many of these homes and I was thoroughly impressed.
It really got me thinking. If people build these homes out of pursuit for glamour or to showcase wealth, in some sort of competition, that becomes an IDOL, and it is false and despicable to God. If people build these homes with the genuine intent of, say gathering a family together, building a community, or serving their neighbors, or allowing underserved or underprivileged people to stay in their home, whatever it may look like...if they build a home with the intent of bringing glory to God, that is what God wants.
Those thoughts have led to some overall conclusions I have come to so far regarding wealth and pursuing Jesus (they aren't necessarily permanent conclusions).
Throughout history, God has given certain kings or the people of Israel numerous material blessings. They resembled in certain ways the Highland Park community of back then.
My point is, I don't think God despises wealth or have a problem with it. Wealth standing alone is a neutral for God. In fact, if anything, it may very well be a sign of God's approval and faithfulness.
Now, the previous paragraph is a very dangerous statement. Please re-read it. It is worded very carefully. It could lead to all sorts of misunderstandings...
What God DOES have a problem with is when wealth is pursued over Him or even somewhat instead of FULLY Him!! God is jealous. I don't blame Him. He made us. We belong to Him. As individuals or communities, how would we dare to put anything...wealth, sex, achievement...before God??
So, back to the idea of, well, I want to follow Jesus, but I have all these elements pulling againt me....what do I do if I'm born into a community or family that is prosperous?
I think the answer is seeking Jesus means getting poorer. It was His example for us.
I don't necessarily fully refer to monetary prosperity. And in fact, getting poorer can be done by anyone who is rich or poor (economically). "Getting poorer" for the Kingdom will just look differently for those in differing world socio-economic classes. Paul nails it on the head:
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very natureGod, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)
I can't imagine what the prosperity of Heaven is like. Jesus voluntarily, willingly GAVE THAT UP to BECOME POORER! A man of all things!!
So no, I don't think being wealthy creates an impasse in having a relationship with Jesus. There are wealthy people and communities, contemporary and throughout history, who have been great models of faith in Christ, and incredible humble servants. It's not impossible.
However, I certainly think that wealth is an overly dangerous and strong tempation, especially in light of the way our world is culturally and economically structured. Wealth or its pursuit is an alternative life street to Jesus with way too many stumbling blocks. It requires a mature and humble follower of Jesus to possess wealth but have it be a relatively unimportant part of their identity.
Identity #1 is pursuing Jesus with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And I think, that looks like getting poorer by the world's standards.
So who wants to voluntarily become poor?
Showing posts with label wealth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wealth. Show all posts
5.03.2009
4.07.2009
something the poor have that the rich (us) want
So I need to qualify a few things for this post.
1. For all intensive purposes, if you read this post, you're rich. Comparatively speaking, I figure if you have access to a computer to read a blog, you're in the top quartile of the world's most prosperous people. Born in the USA or other developed nation sort of does that to you if you asked for it or not. I use "poor" generally in this post to refer to monetary status, but I believe a true definition of poverty really includes much more than that -- which involves social relations, political access and rights, human rights, but for this post, "poor" means without money...
2. What I'm going to write on some of us already have here in the US, but I think all of us could stand to gain more of it or have it be a more intentional and regular part of our everyday life...
So what is it that the poor have that we rich are missing in large quantities, but deep down inside really want? To the point that we envy this aspect of the poor?
I was thinking about the times when people come back from short-term missions trips, or even vacations for that matter, in a developing country with more acute poverty. The general reaction or feeling to the trip is very positive. The experience was great!, very fulfilling!, and even post-trip people are wanting to back and relive the experience again. I seem to notice that experiences with the homeless in our own country, our poor, is a bit different. It's filled with more sadness and empathy it seems. Why this difference?
Well, I think some of the desire to go back or relive the overseas experience or short term mission trip isn't self-sacrificial, it's actually selfish. I'm going out on a limb here, but yes, I am saying that humans are selfish, even after the context of something like a mission trip, where they went out to serve.
Call me crazy, but I think what people envy about the poor is that the poor have each other.
In the US, I feel that there is an association of loneliness with our poor, maybe that corresponds to our individualism, and so interactions with our homeless, our poor, tend to produce a different response. More of a sadness.
When people go to developing countries, yes social and cultural norms are different, and that plays into it I'm sure, but we recognize the poor to be mostly happy and very content with what they have. We are always amazed at that - "they have so little, but yet are so happy"
But they don't have a little of community. They have a lot of it. A lot more than us "rich" folk back here in the USA. I think that's part of the reason we so readily want to go back on those mission trips. We want that community association and living. It's something that we envy and selfishly desire.
I don't think it's a bad thing to desire community, I think it's quite natural and fundamental for our being.
Simply put, I think the poor demonstrate that better than our rich society does. Again, money isn't the only factor I'm implying makes the difference, social and cultural norms surely play a part. Part of being poor is often not having a job, and so maybe it's that community happens involuntarily. I'm sure many people who are poor would rather have a job and an ability to support themselves or their family better. I also think the poor use community as a defense mechanism against poverty. Whatever the reason, we see that the poor live more often and deeper in community.
That contrasts largely with what we're used to and live here in the US. For the most part, we work as indivduals. We earn money as individuals. We work out as individuals. We tend to pray as individuals.
There's nothing wrong with working hard. There's nothing wrong with making money. None of those things are wrong, but I think it stands to say that we "rich" people could become more like the poor and have a greater engagement into community.
1. For all intensive purposes, if you read this post, you're rich. Comparatively speaking, I figure if you have access to a computer to read a blog, you're in the top quartile of the world's most prosperous people. Born in the USA or other developed nation sort of does that to you if you asked for it or not. I use "poor" generally in this post to refer to monetary status, but I believe a true definition of poverty really includes much more than that -- which involves social relations, political access and rights, human rights, but for this post, "poor" means without money...
2. What I'm going to write on some of us already have here in the US, but I think all of us could stand to gain more of it or have it be a more intentional and regular part of our everyday life...
So what is it that the poor have that we rich are missing in large quantities, but deep down inside really want? To the point that we envy this aspect of the poor?
I was thinking about the times when people come back from short-term missions trips, or even vacations for that matter, in a developing country with more acute poverty. The general reaction or feeling to the trip is very positive. The experience was great!, very fulfilling!, and even post-trip people are wanting to back and relive the experience again. I seem to notice that experiences with the homeless in our own country, our poor, is a bit different. It's filled with more sadness and empathy it seems. Why this difference?
Well, I think some of the desire to go back or relive the overseas experience or short term mission trip isn't self-sacrificial, it's actually selfish. I'm going out on a limb here, but yes, I am saying that humans are selfish, even after the context of something like a mission trip, where they went out to serve.
Call me crazy, but I think what people envy about the poor is that the poor have each other.
In the US, I feel that there is an association of loneliness with our poor, maybe that corresponds to our individualism, and so interactions with our homeless, our poor, tend to produce a different response. More of a sadness.
When people go to developing countries, yes social and cultural norms are different, and that plays into it I'm sure, but we recognize the poor to be mostly happy and very content with what they have. We are always amazed at that - "they have so little, but yet are so happy"
But they don't have a little of community. They have a lot of it. A lot more than us "rich" folk back here in the USA. I think that's part of the reason we so readily want to go back on those mission trips. We want that community association and living. It's something that we envy and selfishly desire.
I don't think it's a bad thing to desire community, I think it's quite natural and fundamental for our being.
Simply put, I think the poor demonstrate that better than our rich society does. Again, money isn't the only factor I'm implying makes the difference, social and cultural norms surely play a part. Part of being poor is often not having a job, and so maybe it's that community happens involuntarily. I'm sure many people who are poor would rather have a job and an ability to support themselves or their family better. I also think the poor use community as a defense mechanism against poverty. Whatever the reason, we see that the poor live more often and deeper in community.
That contrasts largely with what we're used to and live here in the US. For the most part, we work as indivduals. We earn money as individuals. We work out as individuals. We tend to pray as individuals.
There's nothing wrong with working hard. There's nothing wrong with making money. None of those things are wrong, but I think it stands to say that we "rich" people could become more like the poor and have a greater engagement into community.
10.23.2008
judgement
In many ways, I think the modern day church in America is missing the mark when it comes to using "judgement" at the appropriate time and in the appropriate context. By American church, I mean the collective individuals of Christians that make up that body. In the name of "tolerance," which has something that has developed more and more in our culture in recent decades, I think the church has done too little (staying quiet and not saying anything) or done too much (congregation fights or splits over various issues).
Please don't get me wrong, I think tolerance is a good and healthy thing, but it can be taken to far so that one, or a group of people basically becomes unprincipled and standing for nothing.
This post is meant to focus on the church and internal issues of the church. I'm trying not to link external issues and their relationship to the church, which obviously influence and play a part, but I really want this post to focus on the church itself.
One of the most highly quoted verses from Scripture, and I would think most highly quoted by non-Christians would be "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-3 NIV)
In this passage, I feel like Jesus is instructing believers regarding their relationships with those outside the church, non-believers. I think this because a) this is early in Jesus' ministry and a church doesn't really exist yet, the apostles are hardly in place, and so without a church really being formed, I don't think Jesus means this in the context of believer to believer relationships and because b) this passage follows a group of passages that Jesus highlights dealing with beliver-relating to the outside world issues. In Matthew 6, He talks about: giving to the needy, prayer (by comparing the worldly Pharisees, who I think Jesus certainly sees as outside the "church"), fasting (again, comparison to worldly Pharisees), treasures in heaven, and having not worrying for worldy sustenance (food and clothing). So I think that theme continues to the beginning of Matthew 7 where Jesus is giving instructions to belivers on external world issues, and how to deal with them.
What I'm getting to is that I think Jesus means it's not okay to judge those outside the church, but it's okay to judge those inside the church*. Notice I put an * mark, because I think Jesus would mean that you can judge those inside the church if they're clearly doing something that is out of line with Scripture and Christ's teaching.
Paul is more clear later on expelling the immoral brother: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 5:1-3 NIV)
Now this presents a whole host of problems. And this may result in a "duh" Hunter, this post isn't saying anything new. Different people are going to interpret Scripture in a different way. This will lead to differences in issues that are controversial. That's one of the main problems of the church today.
Why am I writing about this? I think the church needs to figure itself out. As quickly as possible. Instead of fighting among itself, or teaching something completely contrary to Christ's intention (health and wealth gospel), it needs to get back to a more pure, original intent of what the church is supposed to be, which I think, also includes stop being so fragmented. Now, I just wrote that the health and wealth gospel is contrary to Christ's teaching. Others are going to completely disagree, in light of their interpretation of Scripture.
In light of this, I think Christians that have opposing viewpoints should sit down together, ask the Holy Spirit to guide their meeting(s), and seek out the real Truth of what Scripture is saying. If a Christian refuses to do this, or is unwilling, I think that's a sign for concern.
Now, I'm not going to go walking into every health and wealth gospel church and stand up in the middle of the service and start yelling and shouting. There's a proper Spirit of love that Christ would use to go about this I think, maybe He would do that, but I don't know.
My ending point to all this is that I think Christ-seeking Christians should be convicted more in their thoughts about the Supremacy of Christ and His Truth taught in Scriptures, and to not settle for all sorts of fluff the world, or other aspects of "the church" might present. I don't think they are to do this in a mean-spirited way, but follow Christ's example in standing firm in love and in Truth. If that involves correcting a brother or sister (again, in a spirit of "firm love"), then so be it.
Please don't get me wrong, I think tolerance is a good and healthy thing, but it can be taken to far so that one, or a group of people basically becomes unprincipled and standing for nothing.
This post is meant to focus on the church and internal issues of the church. I'm trying not to link external issues and their relationship to the church, which obviously influence and play a part, but I really want this post to focus on the church itself.
One of the most highly quoted verses from Scripture, and I would think most highly quoted by non-Christians would be "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-3 NIV)
In this passage, I feel like Jesus is instructing believers regarding their relationships with those outside the church, non-believers. I think this because a) this is early in Jesus' ministry and a church doesn't really exist yet, the apostles are hardly in place, and so without a church really being formed, I don't think Jesus means this in the context of believer to believer relationships and because b) this passage follows a group of passages that Jesus highlights dealing with beliver-relating to the outside world issues. In Matthew 6, He talks about: giving to the needy, prayer (by comparing the worldly Pharisees, who I think Jesus certainly sees as outside the "church"), fasting (again, comparison to worldly Pharisees), treasures in heaven, and having not worrying for worldy sustenance (food and clothing). So I think that theme continues to the beginning of Matthew 7 where Jesus is giving instructions to belivers on external world issues, and how to deal with them.
What I'm getting to is that I think Jesus means it's not okay to judge those outside the church, but it's okay to judge those inside the church*. Notice I put an * mark, because I think Jesus would mean that you can judge those inside the church if they're clearly doing something that is out of line with Scripture and Christ's teaching.
Paul is more clear later on expelling the immoral brother: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 5:1-3 NIV)
Now this presents a whole host of problems. And this may result in a "duh" Hunter, this post isn't saying anything new. Different people are going to interpret Scripture in a different way. This will lead to differences in issues that are controversial. That's one of the main problems of the church today.
Why am I writing about this? I think the church needs to figure itself out. As quickly as possible. Instead of fighting among itself, or teaching something completely contrary to Christ's intention (health and wealth gospel), it needs to get back to a more pure, original intent of what the church is supposed to be, which I think, also includes stop being so fragmented. Now, I just wrote that the health and wealth gospel is contrary to Christ's teaching. Others are going to completely disagree, in light of their interpretation of Scripture.
In light of this, I think Christians that have opposing viewpoints should sit down together, ask the Holy Spirit to guide their meeting(s), and seek out the real Truth of what Scripture is saying. If a Christian refuses to do this, or is unwilling, I think that's a sign for concern.
Now, I'm not going to go walking into every health and wealth gospel church and stand up in the middle of the service and start yelling and shouting. There's a proper Spirit of love that Christ would use to go about this I think, maybe He would do that, but I don't know.
My ending point to all this is that I think Christ-seeking Christians should be convicted more in their thoughts about the Supremacy of Christ and His Truth taught in Scriptures, and to not settle for all sorts of fluff the world, or other aspects of "the church" might present. I don't think they are to do this in a mean-spirited way, but follow Christ's example in standing firm in love and in Truth. If that involves correcting a brother or sister (again, in a spirit of "firm love"), then so be it.
10.16.2008
the double-standard
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Jesus
I'm going to propose that humans are finite. That may not be earth-shattering, but it's important to say, because it means a person's time is limited. They can only do so much in a 24 hour day, 7 day week, 12 month year, you get it. With that said, there's only so much one will be able to accomplish during this time of earthly existence for a) God or b) the world. (I include accomplishing things for oneself as part of accomplishing things for the world). And to be clear, "accomplishing" things for God, I mean loving Him and being devoted to Him, not in the sense that deeds are done for Him or in His name.
I think a double standard type mentality exists that I'm not sure is the best. Many people want to please God, to give Him honor and glory, which is a great thing to desire to do! Often times, especially in our culture that places a premium on "success," having money or owning a house or being pretty or having a model family or _________ (fill in the blank), there is a desire to accomplish much by the world's standards. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but there's something to be said for the fact that both are hard to accomplish simultaneously.
For a simple example, I can speak for myself and say that I'm bad at multi-tasking. It makes sense, right? If I'm devoting my focus and energy, to say, writing a paper, it's going to be much harder for me to have a real and genuine conversation on the phone with a good friend. Some people can do it, and more power to them.
I think this clearly applies to our walks with Jesus. If we are trying to serve Him and love Him with all our hearts, and that is a primary focus where energy is concentrated, are we still able to devote the necessary time and energy to be successful in this world? Should we? I sure think it's much harder.
I think people fool themselves more often than they want to admit (I'm inclusing myself in this generalization). It would be great to do a lot for God AND to accomplish a lot of good in this world. Whom do esteem more highly and say more loudly "wow, what a great guy" to: a rags to riches businessman who gave away his enormous fortune to charity in his twilight years or a janitor who didn't finish high school but consistently gave $25 every Sunday to the offering. If we're honest, I think most of us would say the businessman.
This is my point, none of these example guys were necessarily bad, they both did good things, but we don't really know about each one of their heart relationships with God throughout their time on earth (because yes, they are both hypothetical example men). My point is that we tend to go "oooo, aaaaa, wowww" to the wealthy guy because he accomplished a lot by the world's standards. But who knows, the wealthy guy's family life may have sucked, his friends may have thought he was always too busy for them. And maybe the janitor was smarter than Bill Gates, but chose a janitorial lifestyle so he could get up and pray and sing worship hymns to God for 4 hours before work each morning.
This is all hypothetical, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to get you to think about. Our relationship with God is a matter of the heart, but do we orient and make decisions in our life, wanting that heart relationship with God to like an intense marathon, or a heart relationship that looks more like intense sprinting, followed by fatigue, rest, and then an intense sprint again or an intense sprint at the end...
Having success in this world is not bad. I think to try for it at such a level that it takes away from our relationship with Jesus, then it is a problem. We need to be realistic with ourselves. We can only do so much with the time we have.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
I'm going to propose that humans are finite. That may not be earth-shattering, but it's important to say, because it means a person's time is limited. They can only do so much in a 24 hour day, 7 day week, 12 month year, you get it. With that said, there's only so much one will be able to accomplish during this time of earthly existence for a) God or b) the world. (I include accomplishing things for oneself as part of accomplishing things for the world). And to be clear, "accomplishing" things for God, I mean loving Him and being devoted to Him, not in the sense that deeds are done for Him or in His name.
I think a double standard type mentality exists that I'm not sure is the best. Many people want to please God, to give Him honor and glory, which is a great thing to desire to do! Often times, especially in our culture that places a premium on "success," having money or owning a house or being pretty or having a model family or _________ (fill in the blank), there is a desire to accomplish much by the world's standards. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but there's something to be said for the fact that both are hard to accomplish simultaneously.
For a simple example, I can speak for myself and say that I'm bad at multi-tasking. It makes sense, right? If I'm devoting my focus and energy, to say, writing a paper, it's going to be much harder for me to have a real and genuine conversation on the phone with a good friend. Some people can do it, and more power to them.
I think this clearly applies to our walks with Jesus. If we are trying to serve Him and love Him with all our hearts, and that is a primary focus where energy is concentrated, are we still able to devote the necessary time and energy to be successful in this world? Should we? I sure think it's much harder.
I think people fool themselves more often than they want to admit (I'm inclusing myself in this generalization). It would be great to do a lot for God AND to accomplish a lot of good in this world. Whom do esteem more highly and say more loudly "wow, what a great guy" to: a rags to riches businessman who gave away his enormous fortune to charity in his twilight years or a janitor who didn't finish high school but consistently gave $25 every Sunday to the offering. If we're honest, I think most of us would say the businessman.
This is my point, none of these example guys were necessarily bad, they both did good things, but we don't really know about each one of their heart relationships with God throughout their time on earth (because yes, they are both hypothetical example men). My point is that we tend to go "oooo, aaaaa, wowww" to the wealthy guy because he accomplished a lot by the world's standards. But who knows, the wealthy guy's family life may have sucked, his friends may have thought he was always too busy for them. And maybe the janitor was smarter than Bill Gates, but chose a janitorial lifestyle so he could get up and pray and sing worship hymns to God for 4 hours before work each morning.
This is all hypothetical, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to get you to think about. Our relationship with God is a matter of the heart, but do we orient and make decisions in our life, wanting that heart relationship with God to like an intense marathon, or a heart relationship that looks more like intense sprinting, followed by fatigue, rest, and then an intense sprint again or an intense sprint at the end...
Having success in this world is not bad. I think to try for it at such a level that it takes away from our relationship with Jesus, then it is a problem. We need to be realistic with ourselves. We can only do so much with the time we have.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
10.06.2008
I agree with the Pope
Pope Benedict the 16th openly criticized the pursuit of wealth. This has been a relevant issue, and even more so now in the wake of the global "financial" crisis. It might be a "financial" crisis, but hopefully hearts and minds are going through a faith "renewal" or God "re-commitment."
See the article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7654878.stm
See the article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7654878.stm
7.19.2008
denying monetary splendor
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:23-27 NIV)
As I wrote in my previous post, I have some ideas about how to incorporate living out ways to deny oneself when it comes to living abundantly for culture's sake, and live abundantly as a result of God's favor and grace upon our lives. These are suggestions to think about and maybe adopt, ways that can provide built in provisions for focusing on Christ and living for Him daily and avoiding the pull and draw to live by what culture tells us we should be doing.
These are not things meant for hardship nor denial of very real and practical dreams to be able to buy a house. The suggestions are meant to push a little bit, so that comfort levels are challenged in a positive and healthy way with the hopeful effect of drawing closer to Christ. These are not ideas meant just for the sake of giving things away and finding favor in doing so. The importance of decisions like this is the heart of the matter. Some people are very disciplined and don't need systems to live by. They are very graceful with their monetary gifts and it's not something that is a struggle in their life. I know myself however, and I know I need a practical system to lay out and then follow, to get in the habit of doing. I suspect there might be others out there in a similar boat. So the ideas:
idea #1
if you are married, and there are two salaried incomes, alternate living off of one income each month. 2 incomes, 2 people, living as 1. Pushing the envelope a bit so that the two are more dependent on being one. Give the other income away as soon as it's paid. The spouse who's income is the "earner" income for the month gets to decide (obviously after united discussion and direction) where or who to give the money to. An aid organization or your church or missionaries overseas or a neighbor in need. There are plenty of places where money can be given to do positive things.
Say Bob and Sue decide to do this. Month #1, they decide to live off Bob's income, Sue gives the total amount of her income for month #1 away as soon as she gets here paycheck, and the couple decides where that money goes together (with Bob's preferences leading the conversation). For month #2, it's time to live off of Sue's income. Bob gives his away as soon as it comes in. They decide together, but this time it's Sue's leading and prompting to where the money goes.
idea #2
if you are single, give away your income every other month. As soon as it comes in. Have one month's income last for two months of expenses. Research aid organizations or missionary groups doing work overseas, local ministries, an area that captures your passions and you have a desire to serve and support. Ya, this may involve looking for coupons or having to cut back on certain expenses. Maybe not upgrade to a new phone until the one you have now breaks. Loans may take longer to pay back, but instead of "well, I'll be fruitful when I become financially sound" it's important to adopt principles and habits of focusing not on money and wealth acquisition, but rather seeing money as an incredible opportunity to serve others.
idea #3
if you have a job that allows it, work as long as it takes in a month to earn 110% of your expenses for the month. This after sitting down and looking at realistic (erring on the side of not spending as much) expense outlays for the month. If you have, say, $2000 in expenses for a month, earn $2200 for the month, and then take the rest of the month off to go and serve people in the community or at your church or go and love on your wife extra (if you are blessed to have one). This idea would be harder to do obviously because most jobs wouldn't allow for this type of set-up.
These ideas may sound crazy and somewhat radical, but are they really?
How much is enough?
Is it crazy to adopt an operational living mindset such as the ones mentioned or something different from those where you intentionally build into your life a system where in effect, you are denying yourself and culture's way to live, and not seeking that "all-important" acquisition of wealth?
One can live, and live very well with not much money. There are billions of people who exist on less than two dollars a day. We earn more than $60 a month. We earn more than that in a day. Some earn more than $60 an hour. Sitting down, budgeting, and planning out finances and expenses can go a long way towards being intentional about living for God 1st and not falling into the trap of culture's goals for our finances and pursuit of wealth.
My point is that we can examine ourselves and our finances to push ourselves to where we are intentionally seeking more of God and denying the easy temptation to pursue earthly riches. Having a crafted and thought out system to follow and be disciplined with helps immensely.
As I wrote in my previous post, I have some ideas about how to incorporate living out ways to deny oneself when it comes to living abundantly for culture's sake, and live abundantly as a result of God's favor and grace upon our lives. These are suggestions to think about and maybe adopt, ways that can provide built in provisions for focusing on Christ and living for Him daily and avoiding the pull and draw to live by what culture tells us we should be doing.
These are not things meant for hardship nor denial of very real and practical dreams to be able to buy a house. The suggestions are meant to push a little bit, so that comfort levels are challenged in a positive and healthy way with the hopeful effect of drawing closer to Christ. These are not ideas meant just for the sake of giving things away and finding favor in doing so. The importance of decisions like this is the heart of the matter. Some people are very disciplined and don't need systems to live by. They are very graceful with their monetary gifts and it's not something that is a struggle in their life. I know myself however, and I know I need a practical system to lay out and then follow, to get in the habit of doing. I suspect there might be others out there in a similar boat. So the ideas:
idea #1
if you are married, and there are two salaried incomes, alternate living off of one income each month. 2 incomes, 2 people, living as 1. Pushing the envelope a bit so that the two are more dependent on being one. Give the other income away as soon as it's paid. The spouse who's income is the "earner" income for the month gets to decide (obviously after united discussion and direction) where or who to give the money to. An aid organization or your church or missionaries overseas or a neighbor in need. There are plenty of places where money can be given to do positive things.
Say Bob and Sue decide to do this. Month #1, they decide to live off Bob's income, Sue gives the total amount of her income for month #1 away as soon as she gets here paycheck, and the couple decides where that money goes together (with Bob's preferences leading the conversation). For month #2, it's time to live off of Sue's income. Bob gives his away as soon as it comes in. They decide together, but this time it's Sue's leading and prompting to where the money goes.
idea #2
if you are single, give away your income every other month. As soon as it comes in. Have one month's income last for two months of expenses. Research aid organizations or missionary groups doing work overseas, local ministries, an area that captures your passions and you have a desire to serve and support. Ya, this may involve looking for coupons or having to cut back on certain expenses. Maybe not upgrade to a new phone until the one you have now breaks. Loans may take longer to pay back, but instead of "well, I'll be fruitful when I become financially sound" it's important to adopt principles and habits of focusing not on money and wealth acquisition, but rather seeing money as an incredible opportunity to serve others.
idea #3
if you have a job that allows it, work as long as it takes in a month to earn 110% of your expenses for the month. This after sitting down and looking at realistic (erring on the side of not spending as much) expense outlays for the month. If you have, say, $2000 in expenses for a month, earn $2200 for the month, and then take the rest of the month off to go and serve people in the community or at your church or go and love on your wife extra (if you are blessed to have one). This idea would be harder to do obviously because most jobs wouldn't allow for this type of set-up.
These ideas may sound crazy and somewhat radical, but are they really?
How much is enough?
Is it crazy to adopt an operational living mindset such as the ones mentioned or something different from those where you intentionally build into your life a system where in effect, you are denying yourself and culture's way to live, and not seeking that "all-important" acquisition of wealth?
One can live, and live very well with not much money. There are billions of people who exist on less than two dollars a day. We earn more than $60 a month. We earn more than that in a day. Some earn more than $60 an hour. Sitting down, budgeting, and planning out finances and expenses can go a long way towards being intentional about living for God 1st and not falling into the trap of culture's goals for our finances and pursuit of wealth.
My point is that we can examine ourselves and our finances to push ourselves to where we are intentionally seeking more of God and denying the easy temptation to pursue earthly riches. Having a crafted and thought out system to follow and be disciplined with helps immensely.
7.15.2008
monetary splendor
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
(Mark 10:29-31 NIV)
These words from Jesus spoken to his disciples come right after the encounter Jesus has with the rich young ruler. This young wealthy man goes away heartbroken at Jesus' request to go and sell all he has and give it to the poor. It wasn't the act itself I don't think that troubled the young ruler, it was Jesus' request to radically change his life's outlook and what his identity was about that discouraged the young ruler so much. This man had amassed wealth and was used to his time and focus being spent pursuing capital gains. This young man was familiar with a center point to pursue money. I can imagine his relationships, friendships, times of worship, even while faithful and honoring (as the Bible states), fit into, and were pocketed around this greater pursuit: money.
Hmm. I think the connection to nowadays and this rich young ruler is easy to make. I know I am guilty of this. Our lives are oriented such that our schedules revolve around work. Think about if you heard about some guy who's primary focus in life was relationships. This hypothetical guy isn't necessary a slouch, but very much values relationships over monetary pursuits. "Umm, ya, sorry bossman, I know I've missed 45 days this year already, but I'm not going to come in Wednesday or Thursday, one friend is ill and another is going through some difficult struggles in his marriage, so I am going to go and serve them and love on them." This "radical" guy wouldn't have a job long in our culture.
Jesus, in His words of this passage, starts by saying "I tell you the truth." I think that's enough right there to stop and really listen to what will come next. He says, leave all those things culture places a value upon and PURSUE ME. PURSUE WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU. Don't spend your life, the wonderful gifts and talents I have gifted you with, to pursue such a false idol - money.
Whoa there now Mr. crazy blog writer. At the very least, you need money to buy food and clothes and provide shelter for a family, that's how our world works! Duly noted. Money is a necessary evil to live in the world we live in today. But, I want to make the point that there seems to be an oversaturation of the pursuit of money. In my life, I know, I need a greater pursuit of God, and less reliance on money or the security I think it brings me.
More faithfulness in God, less reliance on money.
Money really is a false sense of security. After all, money is just paper, and it burns up pretty fast. Don't believe me? A good exercise would be to take a dollar bill and just light it on fire. I bet a lot of us would have trouble even just burning up $1. Wealth goes away. Economies fail and go through times of crisis. You could go to sleep one day having a million bucks in the bank, and then wake up the next day and have $10 in the bank. God's sovereignty and faithfulness will outlast any length of time money could offer for sovereignty and faithfulness.
I feel like money in its current form is overrated. Money could just as well be chickens instead of paper. Money attempts to convey power and value in our world. That would leave Warren Buffett to be replaced by Colonel Sanders. If chickens were our money, one's wealth would continue to multiply if chickens were money, a lot of people would like that. But chickens are messier and die much easier and are bulkier to carry, so paper was a better choice for money.
I think we can really believe the promise Jesus gives us in this Mark 10 passage. This "truth" that He intentionally tells us. Leaving what is familiar and known to us in life (our lives set up to pursue monetary gain) to seek Jesus and the gospel will return to us IN THIS PRESENT AGE (before we die), a hundred times more than what we know now. We also get the incredible joy of eternal life!
Please note, I am not advocating anything like, "you put a dollar in to the offering plate, you get 10 back in less than a month!" Jesus' words in this passage refer to the richness and splendor in relationships and life contentment that will come back to one who pursues Christ as their primary pursuit.
Would that be too radical to live out? Trusting in God's faithfulness more, denying money's sense of worth and its much lesser ability to complete and provide for us than what the Holy Living God can give us?
I'm going to end here, to let thoughts saturate and mull over in our minds, and then I'm going to post some suggestions that might serve as practical "how to"s to live this pursuit of God more and money less.
(Mark 10:29-31 NIV)
These words from Jesus spoken to his disciples come right after the encounter Jesus has with the rich young ruler. This young wealthy man goes away heartbroken at Jesus' request to go and sell all he has and give it to the poor. It wasn't the act itself I don't think that troubled the young ruler, it was Jesus' request to radically change his life's outlook and what his identity was about that discouraged the young ruler so much. This man had amassed wealth and was used to his time and focus being spent pursuing capital gains. This young man was familiar with a center point to pursue money. I can imagine his relationships, friendships, times of worship, even while faithful and honoring (as the Bible states), fit into, and were pocketed around this greater pursuit: money.
Hmm. I think the connection to nowadays and this rich young ruler is easy to make. I know I am guilty of this. Our lives are oriented such that our schedules revolve around work. Think about if you heard about some guy who's primary focus in life was relationships. This hypothetical guy isn't necessary a slouch, but very much values relationships over monetary pursuits. "Umm, ya, sorry bossman, I know I've missed 45 days this year already, but I'm not going to come in Wednesday or Thursday, one friend is ill and another is going through some difficult struggles in his marriage, so I am going to go and serve them and love on them." This "radical" guy wouldn't have a job long in our culture.
Jesus, in His words of this passage, starts by saying "I tell you the truth." I think that's enough right there to stop and really listen to what will come next. He says, leave all those things culture places a value upon and PURSUE ME. PURSUE WHAT I HAVE FOR YOU. Don't spend your life, the wonderful gifts and talents I have gifted you with, to pursue such a false idol - money.
Whoa there now Mr. crazy blog writer. At the very least, you need money to buy food and clothes and provide shelter for a family, that's how our world works! Duly noted. Money is a necessary evil to live in the world we live in today. But, I want to make the point that there seems to be an oversaturation of the pursuit of money. In my life, I know, I need a greater pursuit of God, and less reliance on money or the security I think it brings me.
More faithfulness in God, less reliance on money.
Money really is a false sense of security. After all, money is just paper, and it burns up pretty fast. Don't believe me? A good exercise would be to take a dollar bill and just light it on fire. I bet a lot of us would have trouble even just burning up $1. Wealth goes away. Economies fail and go through times of crisis. You could go to sleep one day having a million bucks in the bank, and then wake up the next day and have $10 in the bank. God's sovereignty and faithfulness will outlast any length of time money could offer for sovereignty and faithfulness.
I feel like money in its current form is overrated. Money could just as well be chickens instead of paper. Money attempts to convey power and value in our world. That would leave Warren Buffett to be replaced by Colonel Sanders. If chickens were our money, one's wealth would continue to multiply if chickens were money, a lot of people would like that. But chickens are messier and die much easier and are bulkier to carry, so paper was a better choice for money.
I think we can really believe the promise Jesus gives us in this Mark 10 passage. This "truth" that He intentionally tells us. Leaving what is familiar and known to us in life (our lives set up to pursue monetary gain) to seek Jesus and the gospel will return to us IN THIS PRESENT AGE (before we die), a hundred times more than what we know now. We also get the incredible joy of eternal life!
Please note, I am not advocating anything like, "you put a dollar in to the offering plate, you get 10 back in less than a month!" Jesus' words in this passage refer to the richness and splendor in relationships and life contentment that will come back to one who pursues Christ as their primary pursuit.
Would that be too radical to live out? Trusting in God's faithfulness more, denying money's sense of worth and its much lesser ability to complete and provide for us than what the Holy Living God can give us?
I'm going to end here, to let thoughts saturate and mull over in our minds, and then I'm going to post some suggestions that might serve as practical "how to"s to live this pursuit of God more and money less.
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