But as nice as that yacht was, I struggled internally on that afternoon. Just
a couple Fridays prior, I was in Haiti building a goat pen for a church that
can’t sustain itself financially. The people in this community were dependant
on others for clean water, clothing, and much of their food. As we cruised
through the Grand Haven channel on the way to the big lake, I felt a deep tension
between the sites of that day and my memories of Haiti. There was nothing in
eyesight that even hinted toward poverty on that channel. The homes were
spectacular and the sheer number of boats in the water was amazing. I asked myself, “How many millions of dollars
are represented by all these houses and boats?” I thought about all the great
things that could be done to improve a small town in Haiti with the funds that
were being spent on the Grand Haven water that day. Images of poverty filled my
memory banks as I cracked open a cold beverage and grabbed handful of
pretzels. “What are we doing?” I chipped inside my head. “There are people
dying of starvation and Cholera and we’re sitting in a boat three times the
size of a Haitian house. This seems unjust to me, God.”
Years ago, my struggle would have been different. Instead of
wrestling with social justice, I would have been lured into envy. My questions
would have been, “Why does my buddy get a cool boat and I don’t?” But on that day, I
was clamoring for answers to age-old questions about why some people have abundance
and others have almost nothing. For a few moments, I even considered espousing
Communism as a reasonable solution to evening the global economic playing field.
But as Adlai Stevenson once said, “Communism is the corruption of a dream for
justice.” On that beautiful boat on a perfect day on Lake Michigan my soul
fought to understand global economic justice. I was happy for my friend who
could afford his boat, and was making a very hospitable effort to bless us that
day. But I had just spent time at a church whose people needed water, but couldn’t
drill a well as it was too deep and too expensive. How do I reconcile both of
these worlds? Do I, should I, can I… reconcile these polarities?
I think Paul’s words fit well into this discussion. They
don’t answer all my social injustice questions, but they do give me a guide on
how I’m to view wealth.
Command those who are rich in this present
world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so
uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything
for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be
generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for
themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold
of the life that is truly life.
1
Timothy 6.17-19
Paul gives some principles to
guide our thoughts in this regard. Take some time to think on these this week. Be
careful to apply them only to your situation and not to evaluate other people’s
economic place in this world.
1. Wealth
is not the problem, hope in wealth is. When we place our hope in material
things rather than in God, we miss the mark. and can become filled with pride.
2. Wealth
needs to be handled humbly and temporally. It may come and go.
3. Wealth
is a gift from God that he gives us permission to enjoy.
4. The
gift of wealth is given to be shared and good things are to be done for others
with our our abundance.
5. This
question of social injustice is answered in eternity. There are greater
blessings in heaven for those who invest their earthly wealth in spiritual
endeavors.
Remember, if you own or rent a home and have a car to drive, you are in top 95% of wealthy people in the world. How will you handle your wealth?
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