Nearly a year has passed, and I still agree with the basic thrust of the post. Yet I do not want to merely agree with what I thought a year ago. I want what I thought a year ago to have changed how I am living today.
So...has it? I hope so. Actually, I can think of many examples from the past year where it has. Yet I can also think of examples where it has not. Furthermore, I can easily think of examples where it has been challenged. Yet I should not be disheartened; the thrust of last year's post is constantly challenged in our culture.
We live in land of affluence. Since this is true, it has impacted everyone who lives here in one way or another. Therefore, we need to hear the words of God in relation to money. Jesus tells us the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things are what choke the life out of some who desire to follow God (Mk4:7,18-19). I think it is interesting that Jesus does not say the person falls away and does not follow God anymore. Rather, Jesus says they are unfruitful. This is tragic because an unfruitful life is an unfulfilled life. It seems some of the most miserable people are ones who desire to follow God...but cannot fully do so because their heart is given to something else - money (and all of the ways it is disguised).
I realize it is quite easy to say, "that is not me". But is it really not you? What would your checkbook ledger (or online bank statement) say? Jesus said if God does not have your money (which is really His money, but that is another issue), then He does not have your heart (cf. Mt6:21).
The pause you may have just had while reading this post is likely not as long as the pause I had while pondering what to type next... Choosing to focus on Advent and then the Christmas Season should force us to realize a few things.
For example, we should have a growing awareness that 1) this world, and certainly not the country in which we live (if you live in America like me), is not our home. This fact ought to help us look a bit more objectively at whichever culture a person may physically reside.
We should have a sobering awareness that 2) those who somehow had some insight about God's Messiah (e.g., Isaiah) had scathing words for those who oppressed the poor and took advantage of people.
Lastly (for here), we should have our eyes opened to how 3) people are oppressed and taken advantage of in our culture (and the world) all the time. The problem is, far too many Christians are caught up in partisan politics to realize the words of God are being lived out right out in front of us. And no, I do not mean some fanciful and inaccurate reading of the ends times or "last days". What I mean is there are rich in this country who live in luxury and self-indulgence and have defrauded their employees of wages (cf. Jas5:1-6). These employees may be geographically in the United States or half the world away in a developing country.
Hmmmm...well I am going to stop that for right now and maybe come back to it in the future. Honestly I am struggling with using "real life" examples of this because, well, just because.
In light of that, let us reflect on Jesus' first Advent. The King of kings and Lord of lords came to this earth and spent a lot of time with people; poor people, sinful people, rich people, prideful people, sexually immoral people, "you name it" kind of people - He spent time with them. Why? Because Jesus knew everyone is made in the image of God.
Do you want some tangible ways to help people this Advent and Christmas Season? The Voice of the Martyrs is focusing on helping our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria. World Vision has a gift catalog. I am certain there are many in your community who could use financial assistance as well.
A wonderful thing about the above links is we can tangibly help people in a far removed place. Yet let us not focus on financial help (which is important) and neglect the help of conversation, hospitality, friendship - basically love in all its vital and varied forms. I am certain there are people in your community who need the love of God this Advent Season...and beyond. If you do not know where to look, consider the nearest Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, or maybe even a neighbor next door.
Jesus came once and exposed injustice in a variety of ways. When He comes again He will do away with injustice once and for all. May we, as the body of Christ, grow increasingly adept at doing what Jesus did while physically on this earth as we patiently wait and long for His second coming.
Holy Advent to you.
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