Recently I have been struggling with the idea of the affluent lifestyle. I have never been one to want the American dream. Even when I was young and teachers always asked, "what you do want to be?" Kids would answer a job that would get them money but me I didn't want that I just wanted to make an impact. Thankfully it seems my generation is getting a hold of the reality that money is not life. My generation has found social activism in vogue. They will buy RED products, ONE bracelets, Tom shoes, or t-shirts supporting the organization of their choosing to that parts of the funds go towards fighting poverty. While some do so out of fashion, I know others do so out of genuine concern and either way I guess something is being done but as a Christ Follower, I want to live beyond t-shirts and the vogue. But this is what I am struggling with, I don't know how I am suppose to be doing that right now. India and Mexico continue to come to my mind right now after living in Mexico and just recently watching Slumdog Millionaire. How can I complain about food when I have food? Clothes when I have options? Shoes when I have some to wear? College when I have more then a high school education? How can I worry about money for college when I am in college and even have that problem? How can I justify asking for birthday/Christmas presents? Some day I hope to be out in those communities but I am here right now therefore, how do we as Christ believers in North America deal with this right now?
I thank God for the power and the tool of prayer and I know that is something we can be doing for that is more powerful than any of our "man works" for as Hans von Staden said, "When man works, man works; when man prays, God works." But what about physically, how can we be vessels for Christ?
thoughts from Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ronald Sider:
"Keep you life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never fail you nor forsake you'" (Heb 13:5). Our Future is secure not because of our possessions but because it rest in the hands of a loving, omnipotent Father. If we truly trust in him and are unconditionally submitted to his lordship, we can confidently imitate Jesus' carefree unconcern for property and possessions." - pg. 107
"Either Jesus and his kingdom matter so much that we are ready to sacrifice everything else, including our possessions, or we are not serious about Jesus." - pg. 106
"What is the secret of such carefree living? First, many people cling to their possessions instead of sharing them because they are worried about the future. But is not such an attitude finally unbelief? If we really believe that God is who Jesus said he is, then we can begin to live without anxiety for the future." - pg. 105
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1 comment:
I read that book for a class. Keep in mind though, that yeah it is great to go beyond the tshirt, but those are still incredible missions who need support!
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