And…welcome back the Grace Police!
Seriously, my people are so good to me.
Conversation #1 (my man):
“Sounds good but it seems like you’re attacking rich people.”
What?! I mean me.
We.
Us.
All of us!!
Promise, promise, promise this isn’t finger pointing!
2nd Convo:
“It is convicting and encouraging, but I know you’re heart. I know you desire unity.”
Then we discussed the topic of how the world is watching believers fight about doctrine instead of love each other.
It was a good discussion, but the talking wasn’t the best part. It was what was happening off to the side.
What was happening?
Her man was on the porch corralling all four little ones.
Playing with them.
While we were yammering about theology, he was living it.
Convo 3:
“There’s a difference between finding worth in riches and being entrusted with much.”
Right.
Good.
(This is the one who regularly helps me live in the tension.)
Yes, friends, these are my people. The same ones who, the other day, likened the process of me buying a house to Maggie Carpenter getting married in Runaway Bride.
Just get her to closing. Just get her to closing.
Anyway.
Plus, all the talk about scorning blessings could make it seem like I never spend money.
Bahahahahahahahaha!
We all have our weaknesses. I love to eat out (convenience could quickly be an idol). I love products. All kinds. I love books. The kind you hold and smell and highlight. It’s as if I’m collecting t-shirts. I will sign up for anything for a t-shirt. Colorful kitchen ware makes my knees weak. I will trample you and your children to get to a globe or map first if it’s the last one at the store. Or yard sale.
See what I mean?
There are so so so many other people ahead of me in line qualified to talk about faithfulness in finances. We lived with some once. We gleaned so much wisdom from them about how to steward what we’re given. And despite their money savvy I never got a legalistic feeling from them.
Impressive combo.
But, even still, we’re pressing on. Just know the heart and (at least somewhat) self-awareness behind the writing.
Here’s Jen:
“[These intruders in my head], aided and abetted by Jesus, staged a mutiny. The catalyst was the week we housed 12 evacuees from Hurricane Ike…
As carloads arrived and we welcomed them in, one 10-year-old boy walked in our home, looked around with huge eyes, and hollered:
‘Dad! This white dude is RICH!’
For years I didn’t realize this, because so many others had more…But it gets fuzzy once you spend time with people below your rung. I started seeing my stuff with fresh eyes, realizing we had everything.
I mean everything.
We’ve never missed a meal or even skimped on one. We have a beautiful home in a great neighborhood. Our kids are in an exemplary Texas school. We drive two cars. We’ve never gone a day without health insurance. Our closets are overflowing. We throw away food we didn’t eat, clothes we barely wore, trash that will never disintegrate, stuff that fell out of fashion…
The day I’m unaware of my privileges and unmoved by my greed is the day something has to change…We’d done some first-tier reductions, freeing up excess to share, but still…the white dude was really rich.
How do you feel after reading the last few paragraphs?
How would you feel if God asked you to part ways with your stuff? (Make it real: your house, your neighborhood, your cars, your comforts.)
If you’re a believer, how does it feel to have your good behavior discredited compared to how you’ve handled money and possessions?
I see a theme [in Jesus’ teachings]…a recurring condition that hinders the kingdom and stops potential Christ-followers short of actually following Christ.
Wealth.
If Jesus is serious, then far more than fearing poverty or discomfort, we should worry about our prosperity.”
Whew. Are you okay?