Blessed are the Poor

I recently became a part of the workforce again. Since the economic crisis began in late 2008, I have been struggling to get by. Twice I have been out of work (for months at a time), and even when I have had work the pay has been minimal. Before the crisis, I was making a very good living and really had no concept of the value of money. I had enough income (or at least lived like I did) that whenever I felt an urge to buy something I did. Looking back I realize how immature my view of finances was. I did not understand that having a refrigerator and a car put me in the top 5% of wealth in the world. Nor did I realize that those who do discern the value of money are willing to sacrifice their immediate desires to provide for their future. I was the typical American consumer, unknowingly controlled by what I thought I needed to be happy.

During the past two years, I have had times where I literally did not know how I would pay rent or eat dinner. If you had told me 3 years ago that soon I would be ecstatic when someone brought bagels to work because I would have food for the day, I probably would have laughed. Being in situations such as these will shift one’s perspective drastically. There were days where God literally provided 3 meals a day, despite my bank account balance at or below $5.00. There have been months where rent was provided just days from the due date. Just a few months back when I started working again, I was so behind that there was no way for me to keep my phone on, pay my car insurance, and pay rent. All three were needs, not just wants and I was terrified (once again exposing my lack of trust in a God who promises to provide). I woke up frantic in the middle of the night and could not fall back asleep. I finally just said, “God, I can’t take this anymore. Please help me. I don’t know how else to ask and I don’t have anyone else to ask. I just need you to provide.” After that, I felt the weight lifted off my shoulders and fell quickly back to sleep. The next morning I had $500 loaned to me from a completely unexpected source.

On top of directly experiencing God’s provision in my time of need I also became keenly aware of my own worship of the god of greed. For the first time in my life I actually experienced what it feels like to be in need. I thought about the homeless I pass every day, and wondered what had transpired in their lives causing them to lose everything. I thought about what it would be like if I didn’t have a family who sacrificed to help as much as they could when I was struggling. I thought about the lives of people in Africa who do not have the option of education and fight every day just to provide what little they can for their families. I thought about the children I saw in India whose parents literally chopped off limbs to make them better beggars. I thought about the friends I had who were in similar situations and were, like me, too full of shame to ask for help. It was an incredibly humbling experience. I do not deserve to live in America. I did not deserve to grow up in a house where we had food every single day and never had to do without clothes or shoes (thanks to the sacrifices my parents silently made). Every bite I eat and every comfort of my Southern California apartment is a precious luxury that I have taken for granted for far too long. Being financially distraught created a deep longing within me to maintain this new awareness, to thank God for His every provision and to give of my excess. I no longer wanted to be a part of the cultural tidal wave of consumerism, and as a Christian, I wanted to stand against it by using what God gives me to provide for others who are in need.

It’s amazing how quickly we forget. I am by no means financially well off, but I currently have a job and am able to pay my bills. I no longer wake up panicked because I don’t know how I’m going to survive the week. As my now steady income rolls in every week, my mind goes to things such as how great it will be to buy new clothes, eat out, and not be concerned that I’m going to overdraft my debit card.

I have been leading a small group in my church over the past few months. We are going through the book of Philippians and this past week we focused on prayer for four specific parts of the world where my church serves: South Africa, Uganda, India, and Mexico. The curriculum did a great job of explaining the current needs of individuals and organizations we work with in these countries. As I prayed with my friends regarding the difficult situations that others are facing I realized just how fast my heart grows cold. I realized how easy it is to overlook those who are suffering. If Jesus taught his followers anything, it was that the God who loves his people wants his people to love each other.

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mat 22:35-40)

It was statements like these that made Jesus such a powerful and revolutionary force. The Roman and Jewish power structures were so threatened that they became compelled to crucify him. It didn’t end with Jesus either. Those who believed in the resurrection of Jesus carried forward his message in ways that continued to threaten political and religious structures. There are countless stories in early church history of beheadings, crucifixions, and various forms of torture and execution delivered to those who openly followed Jesus. When people start to upset the power structures that deliver to those at the top (by crushing those at the bottom) there is hell to pay. Which makes me wonder, why do those who “openly follow Jesus” today in America, face little to no oppression from the powers that be?

Clearly it could be because we live in a “free” society. It could be that the message of Jesus is just not that controversial anymore… But I highly doubt it. I have been a part of Christianity in America since I was born. Thinking back over my 29 years I cannot think of many instances where members of the church (including myself) put themselves at risk for the good of the suffering. Sure, I know stories of missionaries, and I have met individuals who have stepped out and sacrificed their desires and wants for others in need. The problem is, the Gospel is not about individuals (though it includes them). It’s about the people of God being Kingdom people. It’s about a community that is aware of the needs around it and steps in sacrificially to make changes. It’s about the message of the King, that when lived out becomes so threatening to those who gain their power by exploitation and fear that they cannot sit idly by.

I say all of this to: 1. Remind myself of who my provider is, and 2. To encourage both myself and my family (the church) to start living out the radical, revolutionary message of the King. Jesus is on the throne, and in His Kingdom the poor are fed, the sick are taken care of, the downtrodden are given hope, the blind see, the lame walk, the abused are defended, the guilty are forgiven. When we tear down the idol of consumerism (among other things in our life), we may start to see just how much of life in Jesus’ Kingdom we have been missing. It will end up upsetting the power structures, it will end up stirring up controversy, but it will bring radical faith, hope, and love into a broken world that so desperately needs it.

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (I Cor. 5:20)

This is not a Christmas blog, but I do think this video applies. Advent Conspiracy is an awesome organization.

AC 212 Days from Advent Conspiracy on Vimeo.