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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Reading E.C. Beisner’s “Prosperity and Poverty” really made me sit up and take notice. It’s one of a series of books addressing various issues in society that are pertinent to Christians and non-Christians alike.1The secondary title explains its overall purpose as it examines, “The Compassionate use of Resources in a World of Scarcity.” In it, his statement “Jesus made self-denial the heart of Christian maturity.”; delivered – for me – a significant challenge.
In and of itself this comment expresses nothing new, yet the scriptural references cited by him give it disconcerting validity. Such as, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:33 Jesus thus stating a basic principle of a Christian world-view wherein we re-enact, “…the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, (who) though he was rich, yet for (our) sakes he became poor, so that (we) through his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
After dealing with the questions of a rich young man (Matthew 19:16-23), Jesus conceded that, “…it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” However, he was not setting a universal standard of poverty for all of his followers, rather he knew the power money exerted over this man’s life; warning elsewhere that, “…a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15 In this particular instance, he was trying to change this young man’s focus from himself to others in response to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, promising abundance of another sort when he did so. (Matthew 19:21) The crux of the issue being, “…where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 17:34
The principle Jesus was proclaiming – for all believers – was that we must seriously count the cost of following him (Luke 14:28-33), and in finding him absolutely worth the effort be prepared to give up everything for his sake; stripping away all external security for trust in God alone. (Psalm 62:1,2; Matthew 6:25-34) A central question being: Where is your treasure? Hoarded away in anticipation of tragedy? In tax shelters, hopefully meeting your future needs but bearing little in the way of dividends for the kingdom of God now? Realistically, what can “securities” actually secure? Are you using these and other tools of hoped-for prosperity strictly for your own benefit or are you using them for the benefit of others as well - even if it puts you at a measure of personal risk? The real question being: Are you storing up treasure in heaven or are you merely saving up riches for yourself? (See Luke 12:16-21)
And yet, self-abandonment is not the only goal. Jesus never taught that we must seek poverty as a means of serving him, but having less can be to our benefit in that there are less distractions and fewer demands on our time, effort and energy – less dependence on self and more reliance on God for our daily needs and future provision. (Matthew 11:5; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29) The earliest followers of Jesus likewise never demanded a penniless state as the price of admission to the church, rather “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts… (and) in their homes…” Even as it is true that, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods (as the need arose), they gave to anyone as he had need.” Acts 2:42-46 The story of Ananias and Sapphira shedding further light on this subject as no apostle or church member is shown demanding the sale of their property. They are depicted as deciding on their own to do so, likewise conspiring to keep a portion back for themselves; all-the-while making it appear as if they were giving the full sale price. Peter specifically noting that the property was theirs before the sale, the money theirs and at their disposal afterwards. The punishing issue being their attempt to gain notoriety in a false claim of giving all. (Acts 5:1-11)
Make no mistake, concern for others and charitable giving demonstrates the reality of Christian faith. We dare not be idle. For just as, “…faith without works is dead.” James 2:26; love is expressed through our deeds. Scripture pointedly asking, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17 (See also James 2:14-17) Stewardship being what we do with everything God entrusts us with. The degree to which we use those things entrusted to us to further grow God’s kingdom determining in large part whether he deems us good or bad. (Matthew 25:14-20) Jesus equating a clear Christian vision and Christ-like lifestyle with an over-riding attachment to things above, not on things below; a uniquely demanding and crazily radical approach to life. Summed up in the challenge, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:33
Can you even begin to imagine the impact our witness could have if all of us claiming Christ as our Savior were to realize the truth of, “…godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content…”? 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (See also Matthew 6:33) If we could only learn to live with what we have, trusting God to care and provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34), how different would our own lives be? Which is not an abandonment of all attempts to provide for our present and secure our future (1Thess. 5:12,2 Thessalonians 3:10); as we are to, “Make it (your) ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind (your) own business and to work with (your) hands,… so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 (See also Titus 3:14)
These issues often revolving around the question: How much is enough? Will any amount of insurance or savings guarantee your future? How many toys must we have to realize true happiness? Especially when you realize that the more you have, the more you have to pay for and maintain; with proportionally less time, money and energy for family, worship and ministry. Do we really need a bigger house, a newer car – a motorcycle, ATV and boat? If we stay in our smaller house and maintain our older car, could we not then devote more money to Christian charities – where a tithe would be only the starting point of our giving? If we refrained from buying every new gadget and game on the electronics market – which will be obsolete anyway in a matter of months, could we not then have more time and money to devote to understanding and doing God’s will? If we could all only learn to, “Keep (our) lives free from the love of money (and the things it allows us to possess – or be possessed by) and be content with what (we) have,…”; remembering that God promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), what kind of radical, real, lasting, revolutionary impact could we have on our friends, families and the rest of the world?
Check back next week for specifics on how to do just that.
1Published by Crossway Books as part of a collection titled, “Turning Point Christian Worldview Series” edited by Marvin Olasky with a number of individual authors.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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