This week's questions: What is money’s role in Christianity? How much can we want it? How much should we strive to make more? Is it not right to keep some for yourself?
Obviously, without money, there would be no church building, there would be no lunches, no bibles would get printed without the existence of money. One way or another, God’s church needs money. Where is the boundary between needing money for the good of God, and the need of money that stems out of greed?
Is it possible to be a rich Christian?
Answer: I’d like to begin the answer to this question with a story. Recently, I visited the home of a prominent church leader who shall remain nameless in this post. During the visit, he and his wife showed me and the other guests the addition they had just put on their house. The main feature of the addition was the bathroom, which was the fanciest bathroom I had ever seen. It was huge, roughly the size of my bedroom, had a giant walk-in closet with more pairs of men’s dress shoes than I had ever seen outside of a store, and even had heated tiles so your bare feet don’t get cold in the morning. It was incredible. A couple days later, I was with friends and this church leader’s name came up in conversation. I then said to my friends, “You should see that guys bathroom!” I was immediately disturbed by what I said, because I realized that despite all the good things this man does for the Church, what I’m going to remember about him is his bathroom.
About a week later, I was talking to a friend who works for a church in Pittsburgh. He told me that he and others in the worship band were practicing when a homeless man entered the church. The man approached the drummer and asked him for money. The drummer replied that he doesn’t like to hand out money, but would like to help meet his need. So he asked the homeless man if he had a place to stay. The homeless man replied that there was a place he could stay, but the woman charges a modest fee per night, which he doesn’t have the money to pay. So, the drummer took the man to this woman’s place, paid for a couple nights lodging and worked out a deal with the woman where the homeless man could shovel her driveway and sidewalk to stay additional nights. As he left, the drummer asked the homeless man if he had gloves. When the homeless man said “no,” he took of his own gloves and gave them to him. Now I don’t know this particular Christian personally; I don’t even know his name, and have only seen him a few times. But, whenever I think of him, the first thing I’m going to think of is this, selfless, Christ-like act he did.
I think these stories provide a negative and positive example for how Christians are called to handle their money. A few weeks ago during Advent, we looked at the ministry of John the Baptist on Sunday mornings. John the Baptist lived his life in such a way that everything he did, down to the clothes he wore and the food he ate, pointed to the Kingdom of God. We’re called to the same type of witness. Everything we do is to point to Jesus Christ, down to the clothes we wear and the food we eat, and the way we handle our money.
As far as how much we should desire money, you’re right that we do need some just to live and function. The distinction between the “needing money for the good of God” and “the need for money that stems out of greed” is the same on both the personal and church level. The distinction is: for what purpose do we desire the money? I know of many churches and individuals who have a lot of money and do a lot in the world for the sake of Christ with that money. (Consequently, yes, it is possible to be a rich Christian.) I also know a lot of churches and individuals who have a lot of money and use it all for their own good, with no concern for using it to bear witness to Christ in the world. (Consequently, being a rich Christian is a very difficult thing.) That’s the difference between need for money and greed, whether or not the money is used to honor Christ.
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2 comments:
Hmmn...I don't think we'll have the cyber-debate yet :-) I really don't have anything else to say here, although here is a restatement of Pastor Mike's challange.
Who are you? Are you a mere mortal who must eat, drink and be merry before you die and lose your last chance? Or, are you graced with immortality and promised a place alongside and just underneath the Lord of All? How people use their money is based in who they believe they are and what they think they can obtain with it. If the most you think you can get for your time and money is a bit of comfort and security, that's what you'll spend it on. Furthermore, however much security and comfort is "enough", that's how much money you'll seek to obtain. On the other hand, if you take seriously that you are Jesus' sibling, a prince or princess of the Kingdom of Heaven, then security and comfort will be no object to you. You'll have larger fish to fry, and that will determine how and where you'll use your money. Material poverty and wealth will be but instruments for you to use to acheive God the Father's purpose. That purpose will differ for different people at different times, and will be discerned through constant and constantly deepening relationship with God the Father. One big factor in discerning that purpose through the seasons of life is marriage. If you are "one flesh" with someone else, responsible for a few children to boot, then clearly God's purpose will involve joint discernment of you and your spouse for what God is doing in the lives of your kids. If you are single, or married by childless, the concerns will be different. The one constant will be the dizzyingly high purpose, the vocation or life or venture, which you call your own.
One final word of caution: Your Lord's ambition was to save the world for the glory of His Father, the glory He had shared with the Father before there was a world to begin with. He saw that the only way to obtain that goal was to die a criminal's death, naked and alone. Jesus' ambitions were so big, ultimately the investment he risked was his own life. That's the partnership Jesus invites you to join. He promises high returns and his own presence and power to fulfill the promise. But, the partnership will cost you life itself -- and that's not an exaggeration.
My computer says "low battery", so enough for now...
Mike - just wanted to say I appreciated your post! (don't worry, I don't look her often) Anywho, it was a great way to answer the money question - since it is so sticky it was really great to have you share your expereinces instead of giving some theological discussion... :o)
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