"Bluntly put, there must be some idea that a commitment to Christ might take the form of being called upon to do something concrete and distinctive, rather than (for example) simply to believe something, or to live a conventionally decent life. Without the idea of a call to be obeyed, poverty cannot be of instrumental value, as welath cannot serve as a practical obstacle...The text can (and does) operate in this way in the present time across a great diversity of circumstances for those who understand their situation as one of sacrifices made for the gospel. What is crucial is the self-understanding of the community."
With no agenda or rhetorical finesse, I sincerely ask in response, is this self-communal-awareness possible in an American suburb? or in an American suburban church?
4 comments:
Is it possible to have shared wealth today? This reminds me of my experience Sunday...it was my task to teach 4 to 10 year olds what the first believers did after Jesus returned to heaven. They shared everything that they had. To try and get the point across I used Monopoly money and houses and Frito corn chips. Some children receieved piles of money, some a little and some none. The same for the houses and the food. I explained that it was the same for the first believers and that they shared EVERYTHING so that everyone had a place to live, money and food. I then challenged them to mix up and share so that everyone had food, money, and "houses". When I stopped the experiment not everyone had food, money and a house. So I asked who has money? Who as food? Who has a house? I started getting responses like...but I only have 3 houses left? And I only have some much money....I explained...but do you NEED 3 houses if someone else do not have a house?? Look that is a hotel...could not 20 people live in that house? Then reality sunk in..They had never even thought in those terms. At the tender ages of less than 10 the need for "reserve" had already been "programed". What are we teaching our next generation? Not that I can judge, as I have choosen today to type on my desktop instead of my laptop in my extra bedroom as a single person! When how much of the world lives in single room housing? How do I give myself the reality check? How do I teach the next generation the reality check? More than that...how do I go beyond and change my lifestyle? Am I bold enough to give up my reserve and security?
Dear Laura,
Thank you so much for this. The monopoly metaphor is amazing! The poor don't have a reserve of cash or space or food or resources; so maybe that's why Jesus said they are blessed. Instead of depending on their reserve for a false sense of security, they immediately must turn to God for authentic security, while we are wasting time clinging to that which never secures anything anyway. What a revealing exercise for the kids, too, and a cool way to teach such a HUGE life lesson.
Personally, I am not willing to go to such extremes and say that we all need to cancel our savings accounts and doll it out, unless you're called to that. Right now I'm trying to find the balance between living responsibly with both my resources and my reserve in a way that still blesses others and loves people like God loves them. But is it possible for me to maintain all my stuff without placing my sense of self-worth and security in it? hmmm...
Thanks again for your thoughts. I'm going to be thinking about them for a while.
It would be interesting to see how many times Jesus (in the synoptics) tells people to do something as opposed to believe something.
No kidding! I'm sure it's been done. I'll work on finding out. Does anyone know?
Post a Comment