Blessed are the poor

I grew up poor by American standards. I had to take out school loans for college and am still paying them off. My husband grew up poor too. But, we've lived and worked among the middle class for a long time. I guess we've subconsciously learned middle class norms.  Several times I've been told that I have a knack for getting along with the less fortunate, those who are down and out. I never thought of that much, but it's probably because I was and in some sense still am one of them.

Neither my husband nor I have parents to foot any kind of bills.  We help our families. And I never used to think about money much, but as I said in a post a few months ago, I've learned that many times in the church and in Christian organizations--money still talks.  We show favoritism towards the wealthy over the wise. That said, I understand that wealth and wisdom are not mutually exclusive. Yet many times those with money are on the boards solely because they have money. And with money often times comes power. People fail to speak truth because they don't want to offend a donor of their organization or a big tither in their church. Money silences truth telling in those cases. Money and social status make a huge difference in the church, even though we claim it shouldn't be so. It's not just in politics. Sadly, our practice is different than our theology. Like politicians, we can be easily bought off. We must remember that all that glitters is not Christian.

Whenever I start feeling pangs of self-pity, whenever I forget that I am eminently wealthy because God is my inheritance, I remember that Jesus, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor. My poverty is nothing like that of others in the rest of the world. So really, I should never have self-pity. But unfortunately, there are times when I start feeling it. But when I do, I recall Jesus. In some way, I am in solidarity with him.

We can serve Mammon through greed or by always worrying about life because of our lack of money. Both are serving Mammon.  But honestly, in my opinion, I believe the American church for the most part is trying to serve two gods, the true Lord and Mammon. Which one do we despise? And which one do we love? Jesus said we would love and serve one and hate the other. We can't serve both.

I have a great inheritance. My relationship with the Lord and all the blessings that he has given me in this life are much to rejoice over.

Forgive me God when I give into self-pity. Thank you Jesus that you are not controlled by power moves or wealth. Thank you that you are close to the humble and contrite in spirit. Thank you that you move on behalf of the poor. You came to preach good news to us. Your Spirit and enabling transcend the chariots and horses of humankind. You aren't inhibited by the systems or injustices of humankind.  O God, you are my help. With you I can scale a wall.

An Act of God Incinerates Statue

I remember the first time I saw it off of I-75. I was aghast. It was so over the top. The Touchdown Jesus isn't too terribly far away from where I live. But now people all over the world know about it. The news that it has been struck by lightning and is now no more has been splashed all over the American media.  Am I echoing Judas in wishing that they would take the money and give it to the poor? Maybe the church sees it as a perfume offering, like the perfume the woman used to bathe Jesus' feet prior to his death on the cross (that is what Judas thought should be given to the poor). They want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to rebuild it. Yet even unbelievers think the money should be given to the poor. Any opinions?

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/jesus-statue-fire-damages-estimated-at-700-000jesus-statue-fire-damages-estimated-at-700-000-762245.html?cxtype=rss_local-news

Jesus or Mammon?

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[a] you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:1-9


Last night, when I couldn't sleep a wink, I began thinking about a recent conversation. While I can't divulge the specifics, I can share what thoughts the conversation sparked within me. Let me explain. I don't come from a rich family nor do I have connections. On the contrary, I grew up poor and somewhat isolated--in a rural area. While I wasn't naive concerning the sins of the flesh and spirit, I was naive concerning Christian churches and institutions--the ways of the world within the Church and American Christian culture. Let me get to the point.

While Jesus through Scripture teaches us that the love of money is the root of all evil, that we can't serve God and Mammon (money), and that our hearts will be where our treasures are, I've been implicitly taught by the American branch of the Church that money matters (there are exceptions of course, I am just talking about widespread Christian practice).

Who gets the important positions on church councils, organizations, and school boards? The rich and influential (influence is tied to money believe it or not). They are courted because of their donations. Now, many of these rich people are godly. Because of his wealth, Joseph of Arimethea was able to provide a tomb for Jesus's body prior to the resurrection. But isn't it interesting that studies show that the poor give a bigger percentage of their money away than do the rich?

But let us not be deceived into thinking that those who court the favor of the wealthy and influential aren't looking for some money for their church or institution--money in exchange for power. The rich  and influential often call the shots.

At one point in my life, someone said to me, "Marlena, I'd love for you to be a trustee at this institution." When I asked what qualified someone to be a trustee at that particular institution they said, "Money and influence." "Well" I said, "I have neither money, nor great enough influence." He laughed knowingly. So while someone might have widsom and integrity, they are disqualified because of lack influence and money.

The same thing is true with Christian publishing. It is a business, they are looking to sell their books. What books? Those whose authors have a big enough platform or influence. Those who are famous. Christian celebrities. The best writers? Not necessarily.

The bottom line in many of these Christian churches, insitutions, and Christan media is money. And believe me, I know we need money to function. And I do not in any way discount the godly who are rich and influential. However, we are showing preference for the rich. We are playing favorites. We do court those who can put up the money for our organizations--the givers. We court the influential even if they lack substance. That is natural I guess, but when they get to call the shots because they give more than others, or because they're recognizable--that's favoritism. How many poor, wise, godly people full of integrity are on the boards of churches and institutions?

I am sad about the disparity between what Jesus teaches and what the Church teaches in practice. I used to be naive about these things but I am not any longer. It's the way of the world within the Church. It seems that in this case, it the Christianized Mammon that we are worshiping.

Wealth . . . Gratitude . . . It Ain't So Bad

"Be anxious for nothing...give thanks... Philipians 4:4-8"

Today I told God that the one prayer he hasn't answered concerns wealth: We still have very little money, just enough to get by day to day but in the hole (because of school loans and car repairs and medical bills) even though my husband and I are highly educated. But then the Lord graciously told me that I am wrong. In fact, I am basking in wealth.

He said, "the earth is yours, I have given it to you for your enjoyment." He knows the deep pleasure I have in stepping outside, curiously observing the activities of his creatures around me--how my soul bursts with delight at the sight of rocks and trees and skies and seas--the wonders his hand has wrought. How I imagine the creatures and sights I've only read about when I am trying to fall asleep at night. He knows about my fierce desire to drink in the beauty of places I've only heard of. He knows about my fascination with trees and water. He has given me the beauty of the earth.

He said, "you are wealthy beyond measure in your relationships." I am married to my soulmate, to one who understands me like none other, like none other ever will. I didn't deserve him. No. Shawn is more than I could ever ask for or imagine (Eph. 3:18-20). God graciously gifted me with my husband. I thank the Lord for him every day. Not everyone has such a relationship.

I have four friends (aside from Shawn) that I can bare my soul to, six if I include my brother and sister. It is a measure of wealth to have one such friend.

He said, "I allowed you to attend a wonderful seminary and gain friends for life." I thank him regularly for Northeastern Seminary. Since childhoold I had dreamed of getting an M. Div.

He said, "I gave you a lifelong family at Rochester Christian Reformed Church including the youth group and pastors such as Russ Palsrok and Carl Tuyl." I have a place to call home. I know that they love me and my family. I can be myself. There I am known and appreciated.

He said, "I gave you Iliana--a beautiful healthy child. You will learn of my love for you as you love her. Children are a blessing from me." She was a seedling of our love born into a human being. And I am grateful that she has the best daddy in the world (she is truly fortunate). She delights us all the day.

He said, "I gave you my word. I gave you books. They instruct you and teach you. What knowledge, what joy you receive from your many books." I said, "this is true."

He said, "I saved you from yourself, from the mess you made of your 16th-20th year." I said, "Blessed be your name O, Lord. You have rescued me from the pit, from the pit of hell."

He said, "I gave you your parents and your dear abuela." Abuela was my dear treasure. I still mourn her death. But oh what joy, what comfort I gained from her. Not everyone has an abuela.

He said, "In 7th grade you mentioned in passing that you wanted to go to the Holy Land and to Asia. It wasn't even a prayer. I took note of your fleeting thought and turned it into reality four years later. You were in India and Israel."

He said, "I made Real-Radio reality. You couldn't have done it yourself." I said, "I know. There's nothing much I can do myself."

So I realized that I am wealthy beyond measure. I mean it. Now having little money seems like a drop in the ocean compared to everything else I do have. I'll have to recall this conversation to mind when I am tempted to bemoan our lack of money. The conversation itself enriched me even further.