A Fair Share

The importance of sharing is one of the basic lessons we teach to children. I've never known a parent or teacher who told their child "You brought the candy - you should keep it all for yourself" or "Billy is lazy - don't give him any."
Why do we find this lesson so hard to apply to ourselves?

Alternatives to Spending for Pleasure

"How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Jesus of Nazareth

Wealthy Christians have been remarkably clever at finding non-obvious interpretations of this text throughout the ages. Doing so seems unnecessary; it is in all three Synoptics, it echoes ideas found throughout Jesus' teachings and the rest of the New Testament, and there have been witnesses in every age who have testified that voluntarily following Jesus' teachings on money has led them to joy.

Love All You Can

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Jesus, quoting the Law.

We have plenty.

The minimum income of a beginning elder or deacon in the West Michigan Conference is greater than 96% of the world's population.* That's over 20 times the global median. When Jesus says "don't worry about food or clothing," his words apply to us, at least, in a straightforward and non-miraculous way. We have no need to worry, unless we really think that 96% of the world is in imminent danger of disaster.

Changing minds and changing behavior

"Faith has a limited effect on most people's behavior."

The Barna Group

The Barna Group studies the interaction of belief and behavior in America, focusing on differences between various Christian populations and the country at large. One of their most consistent findings over the years is disappointing, at least for Christian leaders: Christian beliefs have very little impact on how Americans live their lives. Statistically speaking, people with Christian beliefs tend to (a) attend a Christian church more often, and (b) volunteer at a Christian church more often, than non-Christians (surprise!). Otherwise, as groups our behavior isn't very different.