I was surfing last night and was really provoked by the latest two entries at Godgrown... The Stock Market’s Recession; the Economy of God’s Advance and Advent Conspiracy. A few weeks ago, we discussed the Acts 2 text in bible class, and this part in particular makes me uncomfortable (beginning w/ verse 44): "And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."
I struggle with the bolded section, because I don't know what that's supposed to look like. and how it relates to other teachings... like Luke Ch 12 for instance. and what do you do with 1 Thes. 3:10-11: "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies." ... this rears it's head in judgement so often in my head toward others, and it definitely affects the graciousness of my giving and ties it to the actions/choices I perceive others making. the truth is, I want us to keep making money, to save it to buy a house, to be able to use it to give and travel, to plan for the education of any kids we may have, to hope to have the funds to make wise decisions for retirement so my family isn't burdened and my husband and I are cared for. are we intended to really try to let go of material ties and learn those sorts of lessons and reliance, or just not be ruled or motivated by the desire/need/worry about such things? though I don't believe in socialism as a way for a government to govern - government being an unreliable and fickle steward, IMO - the concept of sharing wealth and goods and being a giver is all over the Bible. but how does that look? the passage is confrontational to me. my husband knows why... as we sit down to do our budget each month, I am challenged in the area of giving. years of self-employment with no reliance on credit and a deep conviction to support and take responsibility for my adult self has made 'keeping enough back to feel safe' my default button. what 'enough' means is very discretionary. ;)
anyway, I was glad to read Godgrown's posts. again, I don't know them and I sincerely hope they wouldn't be freaked out by my lurkings. if you have a chance, check out the entries. the Christmas post is convicting as well... a few years ago, I realized that one of the enjoyments of giving great gifts at holidays was how it reflected on ME... if I could buy these awesome things, didn't that mean I was doing well??! I've really tried to move away from that sort of thing and operate from a different place... M and I have been putting back funds every month for Christmas spending, too, so that will determine how much we're allowing ourselves to spend. who knows, maybe we won't even spend all of it.
here is today's Daily Reflection, which I thought was appropriate:
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE is not about political ideology, or about condemnation, or about trumping someone else’s experience. It is about Jesus, about being his disciple, about falling in love with God, and about having the courage to let that kind of devotion actually change your life.
- Derek Maul
Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men
From p. 15 of Get Real by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2007 by the author. Published by Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
*****
I am a tad annoyed by work today, actually. I need to turn my frown upside down, I think. one of the great things about what I do is that as frustrating as something can be, it's usually over very soon.
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