FreeTruth

In my devotions the other day I came across Jesus' question in Matthew 6:25--"Is not life more than food?"

Do you ever have moments when the light suddenly goes on and you realize that when God led you into faith you were entering a whole new realm; you were passing a threshold into an entire different world and life view that simply defies every cultural and intuitive norm? That's what happened to me in reading our Lord's words.

It hit me as I read His words that the intuitive and cultural answer to our Lord's question is the exact opposite of the answer His rhetorical question expects. His expected answer is: "Of course life is more than food!" The world's answer would be: "Are you nuts?"

Intuition and culture would say: "Life is food and clothes, and satisfying our natural appetites for comfort, safety, sustenance, and survival." Jesus says in effect: "No; all those things miss the point. Life is about something more, something different, something counter-intuitive and counter-cultural."

Life is about the soul; the soul in relationship with the God who made it. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" Jesus asks in another place. Jesus is a "meaning of life revolutionary." He turns conventional and instinctive "wisdom" on its ear, and sets the soul in an entirely new direction.

Friends, what is your life about? When you got up this morning, in what direction did the compass needle of your soul point instinctively? To food? To exercise? To work? To "looking good"? To concerns and cares and trials and disappointments and plans for fun or recreation or pleasure that you've made for today?

Or to God?

When you have a moment to think, where does your heart turn: inward or outward...or Upward? And if you realize that you haven't had many moments to think, do you determine to create more of them so you can answer the Upward call?

In the end there is only one thing that matters: the state and focus and eternal destiny of your never dying soul in relationship with the God Who created it for His pleasure and your joy. This is what life is all about!

Labels: Hedonism, Materialism, Priorities

Pastor Tim began a discussion last week by writing a thoughtful piece on the pros and cons of insurance, and by asking us: "What do you think?" I wonder if he figured so many of us would have so much to say on the subject!

Later in the string of comments, Bruce challenged me to go back and re-read some of Tim's thoughts, asking again, "what do you think?" Bruce wondered if perhaps I was being selective in my use of scripture. It's a fair question.

And so, I have been mulling things over these last few days.

To try and tie all of my thoughts together would not be practical. So, can I give them to you without tying them together? Pascal collected his thoughts on scraps of paper, and later compiled "Pensees." (Thoughts)

Read as many or as few as you wish (it may get long!) This evening's exercise may be mostly for my sake-- to collect my thoughts and put them down on "paper." Many of them relate to how I have come to view the subject of money (and, I suppose by association, insurance).

****

My wife has faith that her 9 children will not let her beg for bread if something happens to me. But there was a previous faith at work (in having the 9 children) which makes this present faith about her future security reasonable. Faith, is seems breeds more faith. (excuse the pun!)

****

Widows, in scripture, are to be cared for by children and other family, or, if no family is available, by the body of Christ. Jesus is hard on the Pharisees for saying "Corban." They had rejected the law "honor your father and your mother" by allocating their monies in some other direction.

****

How did Jesus feel about money? It's interesting, when it came time to pick one of the disciples to carry the purse, he chose the only thief in the group.

****

When Jesus told Judas "what you do, do quickly." The others figured it was either to buy some immediate provisions, or to give something to the poor. A good insight into our Lord's use of money.

****

Why do the scriptures contrast God and Mammon? Is it because money can be to us everything that God waits to be to us? Money can (seem to) provide: Comfort, pleasure, hope, security, confidence, and a future. How easy to transfer one's trust from what is not seen to what can be seen and handled, and counted! The rich fool of Jesus' parable discovered too late that he had misplaced his hope... "and so is everyone who lays up treasure for himslef, and is not rich toward God."

****

World Magazine had a long running add that I found disturbing and inconsistent for a Christian based publication. The ad ran like this: "END WIDOW WORRY." How? By meditating on 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care on Him, for He careth for you"? NO... no such suggestion was made. Instead, the ad went on, "widow worry" could be ended by paying $36.54 each month. And, if you weren't sold on the wisdom of this suggestion, then you were worse than an infidel!

****

Forgive me, but can't help but wonder... How many times has "widow worry" been turned into "widow aspiration" when once the policy is in hand? The human heart is desperately wicked... a relationship begins to go sour... suddenly that half a million seems more attractive than the one who is currently bringing home the bacon and arguing with you every night? God forbid.

****

An insurance policy can be used as a means to hoard one's possessions. The lack of a policy may be an excuse to waste even more of one's resources. In his "Divine Comedy: The Inferno" Dante places the hoarders and the wasters together in the 7th Circle of Hell. Some in that dreadful circle will have had insurance policies, and others will not have had them. And in heaven, some will have had insurance policies, and others will not have had them. As a very wise pastor recently pointed out in one of his blogs... it's a matter of the heart!

****

Abraham passed up a fortune when he returned all of the plundered goods back to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. One may wonder: Did he have any second thoughts that evening? But then God speaks: "Abraham, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward." And so it is today, there is no reward, experience, or possession that is more worth having (or securing) than God Himself!

****

One of the things said of the saints in Revelation (12) is that "they did not love their lives unto death." How does one live who is not afraid to die? What does a man or woman look like in this world who loves God more than life itself? What kinds of things does that man or woman spend money on? What kinds of things do they refuse to spend money on?

****

"Seek first the kindgom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." "I have never seen the seed of the righteous begging bread." It would seem that righteouness is perhaps the best "insurance policy" available! But it can't be purchased...

****

I've already mentioned this, but... Jesus across the table from a financial planner? Yes, I know, it's a little unfair to invoke the image. But there is some humor, and some truth to be had in it. I guess if you can take 5 loaves and 2 fish, and turn them into enough food to feed 5,000 there isn't much the man in the suit and tie can sell you to help make your future secure. Well, last I knew, Jesus is still able to do that kind of thing!

****

God is forever challenging the things we try to put our security in! Be it Gideon, who would have preferred 20,000 to 300; or the rich young ruler who really did want God, but couldn't open his hand and let his earthly possessions go. What am I holding on to? Watch out... God may ask me to let it go before I can see a victory (like Gideon), or possess treasure in heaven!

****

One of the pastors, in his sermon today said "True faith in Christ will involve suffering." Why do we take so many measures then, to protect ourselves from suffering?

****

God's people Israel, were judged for "walking in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before them." I would think that whatever the custom of the secular culture surrounding us is, it ought to be looked at with some suspicion. Those who don't know God, don't trust God, don't look to God, have a way of securing their future. Is it the same way we ought to secure ours? Perhaps so... perhaps not. It may be neutral, in which case we are left to consider and decide before God what is the best course. But it should be examined in the light of Scripture. (Which, by the way, is what we are doing together.)

These, then, are some of my Pensees. (Where's JR!)

PETROS

Labels: Dependence on God, Guest Post, Materialism, money

Hello all. This will be my last post of the week as I retreat this evening to a secluded place for a couple of days of pastoral reflection, prayer, and planning.

Before I go, I want to pick up briefly on the thoughtful questions offered by you guys in commenting on my post yesterday. What are we to make of buying insurance? Is it a gamble or an act of love and stewardship? Not an easy question. I don't pretend to have complete or well-thought out answers. These are quick off the top of the head reflections thrown in your direction for a kind of group conversation. I'll be interested to hear from you all on it.

In favor of insurance I think some would argue that it is in line with biblcal commands to be like the ant, "storing up food in summer for the winter season" (Proverbs 6:6), and that it is a legitimate application of the call for parents to save up for children (2 Corinthians 12:14).

Some would argue that insurance is responsible planning for future needs. It could also be argued that house insurance or life insurance is similar to a poor man's means of providing an inheritance for his wife and children, if he should die prematurely.

Also in favor of insurance is the argument that those who do not have it may perhaps unwittingly, be assuming (some would think presuming) that others will foot the bill when need arises. If I do not have life insurance, who will provide for my family? Someone will have to. Insurance is a way for me to contribute to that now. If I don't have insurance for my home then who will foot the bill when a tornado hits? Someone always has to provide the money for everything. Is insurance a way for me to at least try to contribute my fair share in that responsibi;ity? Is insurance, in this light, a form of love for others who would otherwise have to pick up the pieces of my or my family's need?

Against the idea of insurance is that it leads away from daily reliance on God, and may violate the Matthew 6:25-34 call to be concerned with today only and to leave tomorrow to God. But is Jesus really prohibiting such things as planning for the future? Proverbs 6:6 and James 4:13-16 would both seem to encourage faith-based and God-submitted planning for the future.

Still, it is clearly a danger that people can put way too much focus on the future and become obsessed with their accounts, insurance policies and savings. In the end too much concern about this leads to a reliance on money, not on God; something God specifically forbids in 1 Timothy 6:17. Money-trust may well be the very essence of materialism.

Some would also say that present tense needs in the kingdom are often neglected because people are saving up for the future. I certainly have seen this on more than one occasion. This does seem to be a very real concern for Jesus since in MAtthew 6:33 He urges concern for the kingdom first and for future needs second.

This is a tough set of principles to balance. What do you think?

Labels: Faith, Materialism, money

I think at least a couple of you have wondered how my August joyful austerity experiment went (see my June 6 and August 4 posts). For those who don't know I went a month trying to live at a standard of living as close to need only as I could get. This involved bare necessity regarding food, lukewarm showers that lasted only as long as it took me to suds and rinse, no rental of videos or the like, no Ritas or similar fare, and a basic commitment to spend nothing on what I had no very, very, very good reason to buy. These additions to an already pretty simple way of life got me closer in mindset to need only than I'd ever been before.

It's hard to report on such a thing because everyone will define need a little differently based on family circumstances, work demands, and more. But I have to say that the experiment was a success from the following standpoints:
1. I lost about 12 pounds!
2. I saved about $30+ on food.
3. I saved another $5-10 dollars on hot and cold water.
4. I learned a fresh sense of how good things taste when eaten with gratitude for their simple food value without all the extras (butter, condiments, half-and-half, etc.) that add only needless calories and cost.
5. I had some extra to give.
6. I learned that our society makes bare necessity hard to define. Does it include insurance (life or health), an occasional dinner out (given how hard it is in the press of busyness to find quiet, undistracted time with one's spouse), entertainment (given how many demands are put on our minds and time, and the stress of everyday work and ministry), sports (for simialr reasons), etc.?
7. I enjoyed the basic lifestyle that I adopted for the month, and see no reason to leave all of it behind as I go into the future. It was healthy, focused, self-controlled, deliberate (rather than impulsive)in nearly every decision , and helpful in making me see what I really needed rather than merely craved.
8. I had to think about this question: why wouldn't I pursue such way of life as my regular way of life, given its benefits; at least why would I assume that I had any right to any other way of life than this?

Please know that I did not do this as any kind of special spiritual exercise; I'm neither an ascetic or especially self-denying. I mostly wanted to see how close I could come to a need only way of life, in the process wondering if maybe this was closer to what God wanted for some of us than the other way to which we are accostumed.

A few thoughts for your reflection. Feel free to ask any questions over this next couple of days.

Labels: Contentment, Joy, Materialism

In 1 Corinthians 7:31 there is an interesting concept. It's missed in the translation I use, but is captured more accurately in several others. The NASB translates the verse: "...and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away." This "full use" seems to imply an abuse, as other translations make clear.

It is this concept of using the world without abusing it that intrigues me. Today there will be many aspects and benefits of the world that will come across my path. I have at least three options when they do:

1. Non-use. This option is often chosen by the ascetic types among us. These are those who view the stuff of this world as being bad. They may not realize it but they have more in common with pagans in this point of view than they do with Christians. The idea that created things in this world are bad; things like food and work and making money and sports and music and drink and sex and the internet and TV and whatever else might have made the various taboo lists people have, is simply a bad idea. It's not true. God made all these things or gave man the ability to make them. So unless you're ready to say that God makes bad stuff, you'd better recant any notion that stuff is bad. It's as simple as that. (Let me qualify just enough to say that if you are one who has a hard time with addictions/bondage to stuff or pleasures or drink or food, the rules are a bit different for you. The Bible says things like "Flee temptation" and it means it. Stay clear and don't play with fire.)

2. Abuse. This option is often chosen by the free-spirited types; those that are allergic to rules and boundaries, and just feel that they can do what they please when they please. These too are more pagan than Christian and need to repent of their lawlessness real soon or find themselves on the wrong side of heaven's gates.

3. Right use. The Apostle advocates the right use of the stuff and pleasures and good things of the world .

But what is the right use of the world? That, I think, is a very good question; a question worth pondering. The right use of the world's stuff and pleasures obviously includes a use of them in compliance with God's Law. That's a given, or at least ought to be.

But in addition to that I'd suggest that a right use of the world's stuff and pleasures is any use that:
1. Increases joy, gratitude and love for the Giver more than the gift (Psalm 104:1-31; 1 Tim 4:1-5).
2. Balances out the tasks and duties of life with glad-hearted enjoyment of earth's simple pleasures (Eccles. 5:18, 19)
3. Builds bridges to the world for evangelism (1 Cor 10:27; Jesus ate and drank with sinners)
4. Adds spice and pleasure to married life. (Proverbs 5:18, 19; Song of Solomon; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5)
6. Makes a profit in order to be able to give more! (Eph 4:28)

I'm sure more could be added, but I'll, leave it at that. Interesting that in the middle of a joyful austerity month-long experiment in which I'm simply trying to get close to a need-only way of life, God should lead me to think on the right place and use of the things of this world. These things may not be needed for mere physical survival but they may be part of an over-all healthy life on planet earth, as God defines that.

Any thoughts?

Labels: Christian Liberty, Materialism, Self-control, Spiritual disciplines, Worldliness

One of the woeful effects of the evolutionary theory that Peter wrote about yesterday (isn't it good to hear that the peddlers of folly are at least squirming a bit under the weight of having no proof?!) is that it has given a pseudo-intellectual credibility to the age-old philosophy of materialism. It has made the idea that all there is and all that matters is matter. The realm of the spirit and the supernatural has been denied even more openly and brazenly than ever.

One effect of this has been an emergence of crass hedonistic materialism. We're told to love money and what money can buy, because after all there is nothing but the body and the present to live for. Even though our world's woeful condition of unhappiness (I saw a report just this morning that 27 million stuff-stuffed Americans are on anti-depressants!) would surely imply that stuff doesn't bring happiness, and life disconnected from the Living God and connected only to matter, is bankrupt, the blind still don't know they're blind.

A few weeks back I told you I wanted to do a 30 day experiment in joyful austerity; a commitment for one month to live as close to a need only existence as I can get. It has begun. For one month I'm going to eat, drink, shower, spend, relax, and simply live with need rather than mere pleasure or habit in mind. I started on Saturday. Three days in I'm learning some things about what we really need and what we don't. I'll try to keep you posted.

BTW this really isn't inteneded to be something like a fast; it's not really a profound spiritual plan so much as an intentional learning experience. I want to learn a bit more what God sees as my needs, what others have and don't have, and just how happy and contented I can be without all the stuff that money buys.

As one stuff-stuffed American to others, I'm hoping to learn some things that'll change my life.

Labels: christian life, Fasting, Materialism, Spiritual disciplines

One person commented after a recent post on materialism and true need, asking that I not back off from pressing you folks on this matter. I appreciated the openness, and have had God continue to press in on me. I've been mulling over the whole question of need and giving and related matters and came upon a John Piper statement that further rocked my world (it's from his book, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals):

Very few of our people have said to themselves: we will live at a level of joyful, wartime simplicity and use the rest of what we earn to alleviate misery. But surely that is what Jesus wants. I do not see how we can read the New Testament, then look at two billion unevangelized people, and still build another barn for ourselves [a reference to Luke 12:13-21]. We can only justify the exorbitance of our lifestyle by ignoring the lostness of the unreached and the misery of the poor.

In August, by the help of God I'm going to be doing a joyful austerity/simplicity experiment. Don't read this as anything really spiritual; it's more like a sincere experiment and learning lesson. Here's what I'm going to try to do.

I'm going to attempt to live for thirty days as close to bare bones and needs only as I can get. That'll look like one helping of healthy food, no hot showers(only luke-warm ones lasting only as long as it takes to suds and rinse), no Starbucks or Wawas coffee, no in-between meal snacks, no entertainment except what seems needed for family and relational benefit, no condiments on my food, or butter or half-and-half, paper backs instead of hard covers (if any books at all), no Ritas, no meals out (unless ministry or relationship required), etc.

I'm aiming for as close to wartime austerity/simplicity as I can get--just to see what it's like, and to see what I learn in the process! You see: the problem seems to be that unless and until we actually do without we never really learn what we can do without!

And besides, I've got a feeling that I'll learn some new things about the sufficiency of God and grace, as well as how I might be able to give a little more to alleviate the misery of a fallen world rather than build another barn.

Labels: Contentment, Giving, Materialism, Need, Wartime Austerity

Having defined need biblically as we did yesterday, we're brought to the question of significance; does this definition matter? Can I suggest three ways a biblical definition of need should affect our life?

1. It will neutralize our complaining. God has promised to meet our need, and nothing more. Therefore we have no real grounds for murmuring discontent when we are "deprived" of anything other than food and shelter. Also, if we think about such texts as Philippians 4:11-13 and 2Corinthians 11:25-27 we'll realize that even when God chooses to withhold physical need for a greater spiritual cause we have no reason to murmur.

Too often our wealth producees a sense of entitlement in far too many Amercian Christians. And an entitlement mindset yields discontented hearts which only a biblical doctrine of need can cure.

2. It will maximize our gratitude. Realizing that God has met our needs--and given a whole lot more--is easier to do when you define needs as He does. When we are mis-defining luxury and extra as need, we fall easily into ingratitude. When we see that anything more than food and clothing is luxury (and it is) then we feel overwhelmed with the mercies of God!

3. It will radicalize our giving. God gives us more money than is necessary to pay for our needed food and shelter, not so we can spend it on ourselves, but so that we can give it away. There may be some overstatement and absence of needed nuancing in his words, but I cannot help but believe that John Wesley's view of these matters is far closer to truth than is ours.

If I leave behind me £10 pounds, you and all mankind bear witness against me that I lived and died a thief and a robber...Christians should give away all but the plain necessaries of life – wholesome food, clean clothes and enough to continue their business. Anyone who keeps more lives in open, habitual denial of the Lord.

Friends: someone has said that while God ordains that there be rich Christians, he does not intend that there be rich living Christans. If the work of the church and its mission to the lost and needy both locally and globally is in want, and we are spending money on things we do not need, I cannot help but wonder what God thinks of it.

Before we spend money on anything beyond our basic needs we should at least ask ourselves and ask God: "What would God have me do with this money? After all, He's entrusted me with resources for a reason; am I fulfilling that purpose?"

I know there really are biblical qualifiers and nuances touching on this subject, but let us beware lest we miss the clear biblical mandate and allow it to die the death of a thousand qualifications.

If we are thinking biblically, we will give radically. People will see the cars we drive, the homes we inhabit, the food we eat, the decorations we do not have, the simple styles and clothes we wear, the gadgets we refuse, the meals out we forego, the fine landscaping we resist, the expensive vacations we say no to, and they will think: "These people are living for something (the kingdom of God), somewhere (heaven), and Someone (the Lord and Owner of All) different than everyone else."

Do they think that about you right now?

Labels: Contentment, Giving, Materialism, Need

Anonymous #3 spoke of not wanting to "build new rust piles" (what a vivid word picture!). I think we can be helped to avoid that futile and even sinful way of life by considering this thing we call need.

I'd like you to think with me about need: just what is it? Let's sift through all the things we have come to possess or desire or enjoy, and try to discern which of them is really need and which is extra. Let me begin by mentioning some of the Scriptures that help us define need as God does.

In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus defines food, drink,and clothing as things the Father knows we need (Matthew 6:31, 32). This would seem to sharpen our focus when defining physical/material need (the kind of need I'm talking about here; spiritual need is another matter) to two basic provisions: adequate nutrition and adequate shelter(clothing is a form of shelter) to nourish our bodies' health and protect our bodies from the elements.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 lends support to this narrow definition of need. In this text Paul speaks explicitly of food and clothing as all we need for contentment. Basic and sufficient food to nourish the body and just enough clothes to cover and shelter the body. Nothing more is required. James 2:14-16 also seems to define need in terms of these same two basic provisions.

In Proverbs 30:7-9 the wise man asks God to preserve him from the kind of luxury that tempts us to forget God. Instead he asks simply for "the food that is needful". There's a parallel here to Jesus' encouragment to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). In essence this prayer says: "Lord we ask for nothing more than today's bread for today's bread is all we need."

All I'm trying to do in mentioning these texts is to help us define physical/material need biblically, as God defines it. And it seems clear that need is to be seen simply as enough food and clothing/roof shelter to keep me alive today (for however many todays God plans to give me). Read that again and give it thought.

To help you gain perspective let me list ten things I have enjoyed, used, and desired in the past 24 hours that I have not needed:
1. Television/internet for entertainment purposes.
2. Sweets (and the second hamburger I had for dinner last evening).
3. A hot shower (or any shower for that matter; a simple gallon bowl of cold water would have sufficed).
4. Sports (I really did not need for my Red Sox to beat the Yankees yet again!)
5. A razor (is it really necessary that I shave?)
6. My easy chair (this is a comfort, not a need).
7. My dog and the dog food she eats (this is a luxury, not a necessity).
8. My chiropractor visit (I really do not need relief from pain, though I do like it).
9. Toothpaste (I could have brushed with water only, and baking soda would do just as good of a job as Crest).
10. The fan blowing on me right now to cool me off.

Stop to think: none of these things is a need as biblically defined. How does this clearer perspective affect your attitudes; your expectations from God; your contentment quotient; your spending plans?

Now what I'd like to ask is that you comment and in your comments help us list many of the things we have enjoyed, desired, and used in the past 24 hours which we may have considered to be necessary or important, but which simply are not.

Go ahead, submit 5-10 suggestions.

Labels: Contentment, Materialism, Need, Priorities

It hit me yesterday that everything breaks or rusts or corrodes or wears out. Now you say that this is no real groundbreaking insight, and I readily admit it. But think about it: we live in a world where nothing apart from God and what's done for God lasts.

In the past couple of months, here's some of what's broken or worn out at the 52 Clayton Ave. Shorey homestead: fans have fallen and broken, truck brakes have worn out and been replaced, van "Service engine lights" have gone on for who knows what, teeth have developed cavities and been filled, fences have rotted, tires have flattened, bench supports have come unglued, nails have bent, weed-wackers have frozen in mid-use, lawn mowers have needed repair, pipes have sprung leaks, paint has been marred, toothbrushes have worn out, bulbs have blown, thumbs have scarred, footbones have gone out of joint, couches have ripped, hoses have sprung leaks, pens have run dry, shirts have stained, shoe soles have torn off, shoe-strings have snapped, backs have strained, knees have creaked, necks have ached, arms have hurt, heads have pounded, wood stoves have taken a beating, dishes have shattered.

This is not to mention the hundred things that need constant care, like: hair needing cutting, dishes needing washing, clothes needing laundering, floors needing sweeping, grass needing mowing, oil needing changing, ad infinitum (hey I got some Latin in but it's probably not spelled right since I didn't check my Latin dictionary).

Now I now that you know all about these things; after all you have had to fix them all yourself (ad nauseum) this past month or two. There's nothing new or unique here. We all live in the same fallen and broken world.

Jesus warns about securing our hearts to the stuff of this world since it never lasts (Matthew 6:19-21), and He challenges us to treasure the things that are above.

Stop and think about all you've had to fix lately, and let it affect your goals and aspirations. Don't set your heart on anything, and I mean, not anything here below. It's not worth it. It'll always break apart, wear out, or die away. That's not pessimism or negativism; it's healthy realism that helps us lift our eyes to that which matters most and lasts forever.

Set your hope and love in God, alone.
Period.

Labels: Contentment, Heaven, Hope, Materialism