I've been thinking about guilt and possessions since Suzie wrote about it. Think about it, it would be wrong to measure 'if we are right in the sight of God', because of what 'we have'. Instead, our measure should be about what others don't have when they are with us. Remember the bible story about the Rich man and Lazerous? The rich man didn't end up in the torment of Hell because he was rich, but because Lazerous suffered at his doorstep. Don't worry if you've accumulated a bit more than your neighbor, only worry if your neighbor has a righteous complaint about your lack of compassion after he's encountered you. And a 'righteous complaint' must be defined by God.
Measures by possessions are false. They don't adequately describe the character of the rich -or the poor; the rich in money are only truly rich if their heart is able to feel and do compassion. In addition, the poor in material things are truly poor if they only count richness by material wealth. Therefore, both can end up as the rich man in that bible story.
No doubt Suzie will be envied by some poor people, but by what measure? I suggest if someone wants a true account of her love, ask those who are closest to her. I think she'll pass the test. She may not buy Lazerous an Audi, but I'll bet she'll give him a ride. Which is actually the same thing, seeing one has arrived!
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4 comments:
To go along with peters post..
I wish i had written it but i didnt, it was written by one of the pastors at our church and i thought it was acrapoo to peters post
One early morning I was riding my bike down a road that was temporarily abandoned for what I am certain was the cause of sleep. All I could see was an open road, no cars, nothing but a huge welcome mat that read-'ride the middle.' Finally I came to a corner, made the turn, and in the middle of this mighty long stretch walked two women. They too had seen the exact same welcome mat, only due to their lack of instrument it read-'walk the middle.' It wasn't long on this road when there appeared in the distance a truck, the first of the morning; the driver had not read the, do not drive until after 6:00am unwelcome mat placed at his front door. Next I heard the unthinkable, a vehicle behind me. I quickly glanced and then became aware (using a quick mental algorithm) that the likelihood of my bike, those women walkers, the disobedient truck racing toward us and the vehicle seeking to catch us were all going to arrive at the same time, at the same point in the road. We did, I slowed, the women moved way over and the irreverent auto enthusiasts raced by, not missing a beat.
Then I wondered, what are the odds that five of us would intersect at the same time in the same place on an old country road so early in the morning? Low!
I began to contemplate about all the freak biking accidents I had heard of. A woman passing out on a turn in a road right when some cyclist was present. Or the confused woman who happened to run a red light right when a cyclist was passing through. Or the man who had a heart attack and went through a couple of lanes of traffic all to hit a child on a bike-what are the odds? Again, low.
It hit me-seldom do random events come together to form some kind of evil result-yet it does happen. My thoughts continued: If it seldom happens for evil-God how often does it happen by Your providence for good? OFTEN. (Romans 8:28 "That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." TMB)
How often might we miss a God-involved intervention, a heaven-made encounter, a God-set-up intersection where He made sure four blessings were in your way and He (God) made sure you were brought there to receive them.
It is my firm belief that these providences of God are many and we might be allowing them to slip by unnoticed and un-praised. I can think of many times in my life God had me or the ones I love in the right place and at the right time to be greatly benefited.
So maybe we should consider perking up our hearts with both expectations and discernment and not only allow God to intersect us but to recognize He did-YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
It's funny; every since I bought my little Audi .. I have felt such anxiety. I am really very full of fear for having things even though I know God gifted me with so much. But maybe that is just me. When someone else has a crisis or heartbreak, sickness or death in their family; I wonder why them and not me. Why do I feel so guilty for every good thing and when bad things happen ; I kinda just expect them or feel I deserve them. I do read and study and pray .. Thank you for your words. But now Please pray with me and for me that I can find the path God wants me to take. Surely He does not gift people for no reason. And yes, my brother .. I have and will buy someone a car .. maybe not an Audi, but I have gifted more then one car in my life to another. I have loaned three cars to care-givers while they worked for me, given phones, give big bonuses. I try to give away my money as fast as I get it and it just keeps coming. I have preached to so many that the rich will never get to heaven; that I am sick because now I am making good money and fear having all my dreams comes true. LOL >>> Help! I'd love to be involved in making a difference for someone .. but my life has been so secluded here in my foster care home. Maybe now that I am moving out, I'll find a church and a hobbie to do for others. Am I shallow for feeling this way or just immature?
I don't think it's either "shallow or immature". Perhaps misinformed. Study the scriptures carefully, there are many rich folk throughout scripture who are godly. Joseph, who offered Christ his burial place is one. Even the rich can get to heaven. RJ Latourneau, a hugely rich industrialist, a famous Christian, gave 90 percent of his income (which was huge) to God. Clearly he appeared to be rich in material things.
There is however another way at looking at this: Many times Jesus used the illustration of the 'steward', or manager of another man's wealth. It might be surmised that RJ Latourneau didn't see himself as rich, but saw God as rich, and himself a simple manager of God's possessions. Frankly, I have not arrived at that place. I can say everything I own is God's, but that's just cleche'. That's easy to say, but not easy to actually be that way in my heart. I believe the only way a rich person can get to heaven is if they truly feel everything is Gods.
This state of mind (and heart) can be achieved, simply because -IT IS TRUE! As we grow in God we progressively grow to believe, and become this way. Once you truly believe your spending someone else's money, your not longer rich! And money is no longer an issue for you.
It's not 'money' that is the root of all evil. It's the love of money that is.
PS- I don't believe the doctrine that is popular in the church today, sometimes called 'prosperity doctrine', or more commonly, 'name it claim it', which has an emphasis on wealth. Which also proves it's error.
Peter is right,it's not 'money' that is the root of all evil, it's the love of money that is. It's simply a tool, but it 's a tool that is easier to quantify than say, the ability to be compassionate or caring. I could not work as a caregiver it would be too painful. I admire anyone who can.
I wouldn't feel guilty, immature, or shallow. I would feel blessed. I think that there lucky people that are born with advantages and then there are some fortunate people that make the best of what they have. Some people are able to make the best of their situation wherever they are and whatever situation they find themselves in. They are rich people. Although, those that have any money do present themselves more options but also more responsibility.
It sounds like you do have a good attitude toward the position that you are in, and have and are benefiting others. You recognize that you are blessed and where good things come from.
I read somewhere something to the effect that, in terms of teaching; don't worry if the students don't listen to you, worry about what they see.
Jim
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