Okay that has got to be THE worst sounding title ever. But as I thought of what to call this blog - it just made perfect sense.
I saw a movie, and it really struck me...
"The Pursuit of Happyness". (I know, the spelling is wrong, but see the movie and you'll understand)
Anyways, I don't feel like explaining the movie, see it for yourself, it was phenomenal. But this is what I took from it, and really, it doesn't have much to do with the plot of the movie, but I think God just really used it to shake me up a little about my life -
So basically the guy (will smith) and his son, are extremely poor, barely getting by, his wife leaves him, and they have to make it, so he pursues a career as a stock broker and works without a wage for 6 months, meanwhile, unable to make ends meet, etc. etc. you get the point. ( I just explained the movie didn't I?)
But somehow, as I was watching this, I got really angry, and annoyed. With myself, and with other people, and the point that it hit me, was when Will smith and his kid were lined up for a homeless shelter, and a convertable flies by with happy (likely intoxicated) young adults laughing and joyful - and they'ere a line up of hundreds of people who are starving and homeless.
And so - this is my question: and weirdly enough, this verse that came to my mind during the movie, came up twice the next day, and I was challenged again in two different sermons:
How are we as the church supposed to be supporting and sacrificing for our communities?
Acts 4:32 says: 32 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had". In another translation it says they sold their belongings so that they could provide for each other. (Immediatley i thought of ebay)
Is this no longer relevant for us today? Is it okay that we hold onto things (that aren't even ours to begin with, they're God's), and watch people around us suffer? We can say the church is giving and providing, but I'm part of the church, and Im not suring I'm doing it. Sure we give our 'tithes and offerings", and part of that goes to helping those in need, but are we willing to "sell our posessions", to GIVE of ourselves so that other's can live? i might think I'm poor...sure we have debt and low paying jobs, but I have it GREAT compared to others.
So am I supposed to give up what I have for people I don't even know? Or am I allowed to hang onto my posessions and live in my life of "luxury"?
And what responsibility does the church have? Should we be making the extra effort to open our doors to the homeless?? Or is it not worth the hassle?
I'm actually super frusterated, and unsure with these questions. I actually don't know how to answer them, and what part I need to play. Maybe part of me knows - but that part of me doesn't want to care, because it means I have to give up the things I hold on to so tight.
We've got this so called "Standard of Living" a way of life that is comfortable and satisfying to us, but then there are people who's standard of living consists of a box and a buggy- and I'm not promoting communism, but some of its idealism is great - why should anyone have to suffer?
Imagine how the world would view the church if the church cared about the world.
anyways, that was way too long, but its on my heart. and I really want to hear what you have to say!
I saw a movie, and it really struck me...
"The Pursuit of Happyness". (I know, the spelling is wrong, but see the movie and you'll understand)
Anyways, I don't feel like explaining the movie, see it for yourself, it was phenomenal. But this is what I took from it, and really, it doesn't have much to do with the plot of the movie, but I think God just really used it to shake me up a little about my life -
So basically the guy (will smith) and his son, are extremely poor, barely getting by, his wife leaves him, and they have to make it, so he pursues a career as a stock broker and works without a wage for 6 months, meanwhile, unable to make ends meet, etc. etc. you get the point. ( I just explained the movie didn't I?)
But somehow, as I was watching this, I got really angry, and annoyed. With myself, and with other people, and the point that it hit me, was when Will smith and his kid were lined up for a homeless shelter, and a convertable flies by with happy (likely intoxicated) young adults laughing and joyful - and they'ere a line up of hundreds of people who are starving and homeless.
And so - this is my question: and weirdly enough, this verse that came to my mind during the movie, came up twice the next day, and I was challenged again in two different sermons:
How are we as the church supposed to be supporting and sacrificing for our communities?
Acts 4:32 says: 32 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had". In another translation it says they sold their belongings so that they could provide for each other. (Immediatley i thought of ebay)
Is this no longer relevant for us today? Is it okay that we hold onto things (that aren't even ours to begin with, they're God's), and watch people around us suffer? We can say the church is giving and providing, but I'm part of the church, and Im not suring I'm doing it. Sure we give our 'tithes and offerings", and part of that goes to helping those in need, but are we willing to "sell our posessions", to GIVE of ourselves so that other's can live? i might think I'm poor...sure we have debt and low paying jobs, but I have it GREAT compared to others.
So am I supposed to give up what I have for people I don't even know? Or am I allowed to hang onto my posessions and live in my life of "luxury"?
And what responsibility does the church have? Should we be making the extra effort to open our doors to the homeless?? Or is it not worth the hassle?
I'm actually super frusterated, and unsure with these questions. I actually don't know how to answer them, and what part I need to play. Maybe part of me knows - but that part of me doesn't want to care, because it means I have to give up the things I hold on to so tight.
We've got this so called "Standard of Living" a way of life that is comfortable and satisfying to us, but then there are people who's standard of living consists of a box and a buggy- and I'm not promoting communism, but some of its idealism is great - why should anyone have to suffer?
Imagine how the world would view the church if the church cared about the world.
anyways, that was way too long, but its on my heart. and I really want to hear what you have to say!
5 comments:
"So am I supposed to give up what I have for people I don't even know? Or am I allowed to hang onto my posessions and live in my life of "luxury"?"
i think their needs to be a balace between what we do. this i don't think means selling what we have, but it does i think mean being generous in what we do have.
You need to read Shane Claiborne's book, "The Irresistable Revolution" (Jeremy just bought it). I have been asking myself a lot of the same questions lately, and it's refreshing to hear of somebody who is living a different way of life, one that is congruent with the church in Acts. It's super challenging, and something we all have to wrestle with. Did Jesus really mean for us all to sell our possessions and give to the poor? Or are we just to be willing to do that? If we're willing why don't we do it? Or do we just wait on God for Him to direct us in specific situations? Seriously hard questions, and ones that we all need to be thinking about. I loved your post! Andrea
i am beginning to think more and more that north american christianity needs a huge lesson in genorousity. as much as i agree with the previous comments on balance.. i think the reality is that those are easy comments for us (MYSELF INCLUDED - I"M SO SELFISH) to make because we ourselves are part of the world top 3% of wealth... though i understand relativity/GDP/Standards of Living/Global Aid/ Etc... when we see need and cannot respond because our generosity is limited by our own 'excess' i think we have a problem.
in addition to responding to need - if we serve a god of justice - it is the church's role to stimulate economic justice in communities that suffer injustice... (look up last years nobel peace prize winner...WOW.) where does the millions of dollars go? where our treasures are - our hearst are there also...
i'd rather promote the extreme giving end and invest in sustainable development then simply check off my own budgeted tithe... there is so much need... its overwhelming.. but lets teach action to our churches... action that creates growth/oppertunity/development!
lol...
can you say.... RANT.
i totally just watched blood diamond. i'm a bit fiesty.
great post andrea.
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