Recently, I was watching a comedy show, and a guy named Kyle was doing a bit about how ridiculous America can be. It went something like this, “so, you know America is messed up right? I mean, America has all kinds of ridiculous things. I mean think about it, we have water parks. Some countries don’t even have clean drinking water, and here in America, we play in it.”
I laughed at first. Then, I thought…No, but really…
How sad. When you compare the luxuries of American indulgence with the impoverished situations of countries like Haiti and Uganda, it’s hardly a laughing matter anymore.
As I continued to reflect on Kyle’s joke another television show caught my eye. Apparently, Americans think it is entertaining to watch people attempt to answer trivia questions as expensive items are thrust from the top of a building to their destructive end. Items like costly pool tables, boats, cars, etc. are destroyed for sheer entertainment purposes. Thirty thousand kids will die in Africa TODAY because of poverty. We are throwing luxury vehicles off of buildings and mothers in Africa are uncertain if their babies will survive today because of a lack of food. No, but really…that’s disgusting.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been accused of being the thriftiest person out there, neither have I always valued the privilege and wealth that being an American has afforded me. Yet, being a Christian demands that I accept the responsibility of stewardship of my wealth and bids me to use it in a God-honoring way. It demands the same of you.
The Lausanne Covenant (written in 1974) echoes this sentiment as it states, “The church is at the very center of God’s cosmic purpose and is his appointed means of spreading the Gospel. But a church which preaches the cross must itself be marked by the cross.” So many areas of my life markedly display the cross, yet my bank statement reflects a self-indulgence which requires repentance. Where does your money go?
Our charge has been set before us: “look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1), “defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov 3), “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (Luke 14).
Check out these websites:
http://www.kiva.org/
https://www.microplace.com/
www.worldvision.org
Do something.
1 comment:
This morning in church, I felt a profound sense of sadness. I couldn't put my finger on it exactly, but by the end of the service, the thought on my mind was "spiritual rot." Going to church this morning felt a little like looking in the mirror at other times in my life when I was overweight and hated what I saw. Go figure. My church by nature, isn't even that convicting! But, the Holy Spirit is, and I think I was tagged today.
Your comments hit it too. We are not only selling the people of God short by not being better stewards of our blessings... we are shorting ourselves. Today I see in myself spiritual atrophy, and it disgusts me. Shall I be moved? We shall see.
Thanks, Nika.
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