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Thursday, March 06, 2008
Do you really want to live within your own resources? Part 4
Here is the last post on this topic!!
5)Be conscious of consumerism
- It is the world that we live in, so allow your eyes to be opened to it. Don't be duped into buying what you don't want! Have a realistic view on what you own - don't be "shamed" into buying upgrades. Don't buy to make yourself feel happy, its effects are very short-lived [instead see point 6].
- Think about where the pound you spend goes beyond the cashier. Goods have many, many people [and world resources] involved in their production, delivery and sale. If there are ways that you can ensure that you pound helps people, then do that! You may want to fair-trade, even if it costs you a little more. You may want to buy from local stores rather than multinationals. You may want to avoid certain goods because you are concerned about how they got to you. You are the consumer and it is here that you are free to exercise your choice.
- I am well aware that this is a massively complicated area, again you don't need to operate out of fear, worry and guilt, but loving generosity for people and the world.
6) Enjoy what you have
- A primary problem with consumerism is that as soon as you have bought something you immediately realize that someone else got a better deal and a newer product. The things we have are quickly obsolete and sources of consumer shame. The result is that we never really "have what we own". Here is my encouragement: enjoy what you have. Make the investment of money, people's creative energies and world resources count for something by enjoying what God has provided for you. Not as things that define you but as gifts. Truly have what you own.
7) Help and pray for those caught in debt
- Debt is one of the biggest social problems we face. Help and encourage those caught in debt. Give them tools to get out, or point them in the right direction. Be aware of how your talk and your actions could be heard for people in debt, or thinking of buying on credit. If you have credit cards, only use them for buying convenience and pay them off every month. Talk that way to make people realize that is the only way that they are a good idea!!
8) Express radical Jesus economics
- A Christian view of money has often resulted in stingy, grumpy penny-pinching attitudes to money under a general excuse of "stewardship". This is deeply anti the attitude of Jesus. I believe that Jesus instructions to give to the poor fall under a general understanding that we are not operating within the limits of our own resources. Hence we can reflect the generosity of a generous God!!
- In the bible we see the Year of Jubilee, a 50 year return of land to their original owners and concealing of debt, a woman who break a jar of perfume worth a years wages over Jesus, and a radical Christian community in Acts 2 who are selling and sharing and giving. These are brief signs of a biblical thread of generosity and 'squandering' of wealth for the sake of people, God and this world. Take the shackles off your wealth and participate in some crazy God-like giving!
Why can we do that? Because in honouring God with our money, in understanding that we are interesting in eternal riches, in being clear that what we have is gift, we truly understand that we are living in a world of resources beyond our own. The resources of a God who has all the resources we will ever need.
Do you really what to live within the limits of your own resources?? Labels: discipleship, mission, money, social justice
Posted by: Mark | 3:56 pm
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