Two days before we were supposed to leave, I only had $1,000 on hand. I showed up at a youth meeting at my church, and people began giving me envelopes; some were filled with cash and others with checks. Amazed, I totaled the amount that night. It was $4,000 exactly. I was in awe at how quickly and specifically God had answered my prayer and my faith was soaring.

Paul was pretty direct in his letter asking people to fund his missionary journeys (1 Cor 16:6; Rom 15:24). He asked rich Christians to give to the poor Christians in Jerusalem ( Rm 15:26). Since that day in 1989 when I was a young teen, I have asked many people and groups for their prayers and financial support. It started with requesting people to help me get to India during every summer holiday while studying at Baylor University. After I graduated, I began asking people to help fund a other projects. Well, now it is 2010 and I am still needing support but in a different way. The funds I am requesting (and other members of ServLife’s team around the world) is for a vision embodied in ServLife International, encompassing 120 indigenous ServLife missionaries, 300 children in six different orphanages,and many more people and projects to extend the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed..

In my own Baptist heritage, it is amazing to read of those, who, in the words of the great Baptist missionary Wiliam Carey, “Attempted Great things for God and Expected Great things from God!” On October 2, 1792, almost two hundred years after the reformation and a period of little to no protestant missionary outreach, the Baptist Missionary Society was formed. The model was based upon a trading company of the day, with private subscribers contributing large or small amounts of money to a common enterprise: World Evangelization.  Other early groups modeled after these Baptist pioneers about a decade later: the Missionary Society (also, London Missionary Society), Church Missionary Society, established by Evangelical Anglicans. In 1793, Carey was the second missionary sent by this organization and did incredible work. Carey’s efforts fueled interest in the USA, sparking a group of Baptist and congregational women to form the Boston Female Society for Missionary Purposes in 1800. America’s first missionary, Judson, studied at a Baptist school, Brown. He was sent by a congregationalist who set up the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. While completing the journey to India by sea, Judson felt he could not baptize infants without having been baptized himself, and was baptized immediately upon his arrival to Calcutta at what is now the Carey Baptist Church – a church I preached at in the early 90s. Luther Rice was another congregationalist turned Baptist over the issue of baptism by immersion and helped organize the General Missionary or Triennial Convention in 1814. In 1845, Southern Baptists began their global efforts and the stories could go on and on. Today, the most exciting movements are not the ones happening in the west but the ones taking place in the non-western and southern regions of our globe.

In recent years, the North American church has deliberated over, and often debated, how westerners fit into the changing face of God’s work in the greater world. Quite simply, the world is changing, and doing so exponentially with the perpetuation of globalization. Not surprisingly, the church is shifting, too, and with equal impact. This is especially true as the gospel continues to sweep the southern hemisphere, influencing ancient religions, tribal practices, and customs, causing these communities to challenge how Christ changes the lives of individuals and entire communities.

People often ask me, “Don’t you get tired of asking people for money?” and my response is always the same. “Never!” God’s global mission in the world is central to His heart and purposes throughout history. Since God seeks to restore and redeem all humanity and creation to Himself, the work He authors is always angled toward this highest goal of restoration and transformation. Each time a human life is changed through an encounter with Jesus Christ, God has a new witness, one who may also enter into the mission of His work in the world. Being a God-witness is more a promise to be trusted than merely a command to be obeyed. This promise is what Peter realized in his encounter with Cornelius in Acts, “Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism…” Providing funds for His work all over the world is a chance to share in the transformations that take place, making disciples of all the nations.

One summer while I was in college, I worked on staff in an inner-city church in Houston, TX. One Sunday as I was locking up, a Hispanic woman said she had to go get her tithe for that day and asked if I could wait while she went to get it. Little did I know that I would wait for 45 minutes while she walked home. I got impatient and was very hungry. Finally, she arrived and handed me the small envelope and she went on her way. I saw that it was open and looked inside and found 1 dime. That is right, a 45 minute walk for ten cents. I could not believe it, but I should. That was not just a 45 minute walk for ten cents, it was a 45 minute walk to be part of spreading the Kingdom of God. It was a walk that was obeying God’s command to go and make disciples, and a walk of trust that God’s promises are true. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

Give generously. Love generously. live generously. 

August 2010

It seems people love to give generously in economically prosperous times but I contend that the economic markets should not impact our heart and living generously and sacrificially to be able to share God’s love to a broken and bruised world. Being generous with what God has given us is not merely a matter of the size of our bank accounts or income but an issue of the heart. Remember how Jesus responded to the woman who gave just a few coins?

I believe we as the church must see that we face numerous crises in the world: poverty, hatred, injustice, and people separated from God. We must look at ways to sacrifice (give up something) so that others may know of God’s love and goodness. I don’t know what that means for you, but I am examining this issue for myself.

I pray God leads you as you sacrifice and give more of yourself to Him and your time, treasure, and talents to His Kingdom. A Franciscan Blessing that I hope encourages and challenges you:

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.”

Joel Vestal
February 2009

“To become involved is risky. Pain is often contagious. Our hearts may be broken and our lives may be threatened. Yet we hear God calling and we can no longer hide. Our steps may be small and timid. We may read a book, write a letter, or make a gift. But each tiny step is blessed by God and multiplies. God is more relentless than war. God is more pervasive than hatred. God is more insistent than despair.”

The media reminds us daily of the economic challenges that are before the US and global economies. As we in the West are concerned with mortgages and retirement accounts, many of the global poor are worried about their next meal or whether their child will die of a preventable disease. Indeed, it is the global poor and marginalized who need our encouragement and help more than ever during times like these. I want to thank you for your generosity and support to our mission last year and pray that you will continue to support what God is doing through ServLife in 2009. Despite the economic condition we are currently in, God’s work continues and your prayers and support allow that to happen.

Please continue to pray for ServLife 1,000 and our 5 year goal to train 1,000 indigenous workers, care for 1,000 children, and start 1,000 small businesses among the poor. I pray that 2009 is a year when God does amazing things in your life.

Joel Vestal
January 2009

The late pastor and author, A.W. Tozar, wrote, “God’s address is at the end of one’s rope.”

When people’s lives or the world around us unravels, we seem to be shaken to our core of identifying what is the foundation of our hope, future, and identity. Throughout history, many have found Christ in the midst of hardship, pain, and disappointment, no matter from what circumstance. In global conflicts and wars, refugees always respond to the gospel openly no matter how resistant they have been in the past. If we are honest, we may see that our hope and security lies more on Wall Street or our government than on God and the voice of the Spirit that brings rest and peace. I think for us who are followers of Jesus Christ and investors in God’s work, we need some honest reflection and time to set aside to be still and pray.

I would encourage you to look to Christ as the source of your strength and foundation, and further, see opportunities before you to minister to others in their fears and worry.

17 of the 38 parables of Jesus are about possessions. Possessions are mentioned 2,172 times in scripture “three times more than love, seven times more than prayer, and eight times more than belief. Jesus had much to say about our treasure, money, and the soul. Indeed, we live in a culture that values highly possessions that come in many forms.

We need hope renewed in our hearts. Hope emerges when we see our future that is in eternity with Jesus Christ and a Kingdom that He came to announce and embody. In Christ we receive life abundant (Jn. 10:10). This does not mean we dismiss the problems and injustices of this world but we run to them and seek to transform them. Jesus was so active in the multiple spheres of engaging with others in their problems on a personal level and a systemic level. The good news should be good news for the rich as it is to the poor. This good news gospel is transformational and should touch and change the hearts of twisted, greedy Wall Street bankers and politicians as well as those in the slums around the world. Our hope is in God. He is our refuge and source of peace. We do not trust in riches or other people but in the Lord.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

John Wesley wrote, “Surely then, to trust in riches for happiness is the greatest folly of all that are under the sun! Are you not convinced of this? Is it possible you should still expect to find happiness in money or all it can procure? What! Can silver and gold, and eating and drinking, and horses and servants, and glittering apparel, and diversions and pleasures (as they are called) make thee happy? They can as soon make thee immortal!These are all dead show. Regard them not. Trust thou in the living God; so shalt thou be safe under the shadow of the Almighty; his faithfulness and truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Do you believe in God through Christ? Do you trust in him as your strength, your help, your shield, and your exceeding great reward? as your happiness? your end in all, above all things? Then you cannot trust in riches. It is absolutely impossible you should, so long as you have this faith in God.”

May God sustain you and give you wisdom as you look to Him to use your time, treasure, and talents towards what is eternal.

Joel Vestal
October 2008

A few things that God showed me during my time away were really helpful for me. Sleep experts say that human beings must experience rapid eye movement (REM) in order for your body to truly rest during a night’s sleep. I have reflected upon this and have come to realize that we all need “REM” of the soul on a regular basis to allow us to live a fruitful and joyous life that God desires and intends for us to live. We do not embrace rest for ourselves and just create short stints of rest and often times do not experience or feel rested. For instance, if we were to only take 7 or 8 one-hour naps in a 24 hour period, our body would not be rested because we would not experience REM sleep. In the same way, we need soul rest. It is true that we as western Christians have a hard time embracing and practicing Sabbath rest as we should. Whether on Sunday or a taking a season of rest (i.e., vacation) we still often emerge more restless and tired than when we began. Why is this? Perhaps it is because we are not creating space to allow our souls to rest in a way they were created to do. Soul rest is more than getting a lot of sleep and sunshine in a secluded destination.

What is soul rest? To me, it is allowing us to be free from the concern of what others think or expect from us and rest and reflect on the relentless love of Jesus Christ and His acceptance of us, despite the baggage and bruises we carry with us through life.

It is hard to escape the demands and expectations that others have on us. Our spouses, children, colleagues at the office, friends, or business associates all take from us. Perhaps sometimes our perception of other’s expectations is greater than the expectation that they truly have. At times, this is more of a burden we put on ourselves by our own insecurities. Further, technology hinders our ability to have soul rest when we can work anywhere and anytime we want with wireless capability to any mobile device.

Perhaps the greatest problem in allowing us to have deep soul rest is our constant demand of proving ourselves to others. If we are all honest, we care what others think of us and this creates anxiety and stress in ways that keep us from resting in God and experiencing deep rest of the soul.

When serenity is restored, new perspectives open to us and difficulty can begin to seem like an invitation to new growth and change. Jesus was a master at not allowing Himself to be stuck on the treadmill of stress but devoted time to allow His heart to be calmed by nature around Him and be awakened by the beauty of His father’s loving embrace and pursuit of Him. It makes anyone feel valued and loved when we are pursued by another person in a respectful and courteous way. Jesus is pursuing us more than we realize every day and being attentive and attuned to His pursuit is the challenge often times. But when we recognize this pursuit and then respond, transformation can occur.

Throughout each day, we should take time to stop, breathe deep, and still ourselves without distraction and noise to rest. We must embrace and experience a Sabbath day at least one day per week. Further, extended periods of time should be taken for several weeks to withdraw from our daily routine of work to find deep soul rest. The Sabbath was made for us as humans as a day of rest and refreshment for the body and of blessing to the soul. It comes from the Hebrew word, “shabbath”, meaning “to rest from labor”.

As you live out Sabbath soul rest on a daily and weekly basis, and even for an extended period of time, here are four reminders to reflect upon and think about:

1. Remember God Himself rested and created rest for our benefit and transformation. Jesus often took extended times away from the crowds to commune with his Father and experience soul rest.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Gen 2:2-3)

2. Remember how God delivered you out of slavery to sin when you rest and give thanks for freedom in Christ.

God instructs Moses on Mt. Sinai and giving the ten commandments, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Ex 20:8-9) He delivered the Israelites out of slavery and instructed them to remember the Sabbath and His provision for them.

3. Remember God is pleased with His work of making you for who you are.

God has created every person on Earth in His image and just as he said in Genesis after his creation, “He looked at what He created and saw that it was good.” In taking time to rest, reflect on how God is saying that about your life and future. He wants to empower and equip you to live your life with passion and abundance.

4. Remember that resting in Jesus Christ alone will bring true deep rest of the soul.

“The Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath,” Jesus declared to the Pharisees in Luke 6:5. For Jesus it was not an issue of what you do or do not do on the Sabbath but are you free?

As J.S. Exell writes about what Jesus was saying in this passage, “We see from this narrative that Christ beholds the withered energies of the human soul with tender compassion. There is an intimate connection between the word of Christ and the restoration of the withered energies of the soul. The restoration of the withered energies of the soul is immediate, visible, and complete and the restoring of the withered energies of the soul can only be accomplished by Christ.”

May you experience deep soul rest in your journey of faith and life these coming days.

Joel Vestal
August 2008

A river of any size or speed is movement and momentum. God is moving in the world, and we as His people must enter into that movement and what He is doing and desiring to do for the last and least on our planet. I have recently returned from Asia, and my heart is stirred in fresh ways of the realization that God’s people must pray in seeking justice and righteousness in the world. Our God has a global agenda for all nations of the earth. Our efforts, ideas, or plans are futile if not fueled by divine power and provision. Prayer does take on a private pattern but it should also be communal and shared with others. Further, it should be shared with believers who are perhaps not in your own group or church. Prayer unites! In an election year, candidates promise to unite us and not divide us. Perhaps it is effective political rhetoric, but we all know that our city and nation is polarized politically and ideologically. Prayer builds bridges and does a few things:

Prayer unites the church (Acts 2:42-47), Prayer moves the heart of God (Ex. 2:24, 2 Chron. 30:27), Prayer activates workers to the nations (Matt. 9:37-38), Prayer lifts up Christ and draws people to Him (Jn. 12:32), and Prayer begins new ministries and churches (Acts 1:14)

Please pray for the church around the world, mission workers you know, and for ServLife’s ministry. We are very grateful for your prayers.

Joel Vestal
(5/27/2008)

The scripture is filled with instruction and reminders for us to be thankful and grateful to God for what He has done for us and how he provides for us. We are so often filled with envy and jealousy for what others have or what we think they have. We often say this to ourselves, “If I only had that car then I would be happy, if I only had friends like that person,…” It is difficult to be content but not impossible. Perhaps contentment starts with merely being grateful for what we do have. There is so much we have that we do not even think about. The ability to regulate our water temperature when we shower, the convenience of mobility and conversation, laughter with friends, the beauty of nature, and the list can go on and on.

As the writer of Hebrews says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:5

I am so thankful and grateful for you and your friendship, prayers, and financial support to ServLife. We could not do it without you.

(By Joel Vestal: April 2008)

God in his mercy sent his own son to leave the comforts of the familiar to step into the maze and messiness of the unfamiliar. Jesus left his home to become homeless through his life and ministry on earth. This advent season we celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior. The word advent comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning “coming”. We also must celebrate how Jesus is still coming today and revealing himself and changing lives through His Spirit working in and through the church around the world. We are His hands. We are His mouth to speak life. We are His feet to walk to places and nations to offer healing. We are the body of Christ. We also must celebrate how He will come again one day. But until that day comes, there is much labor and energy that must be given to the least, last, and lost on our planet who deserve dignity, self-respect, salvation, and hope.

This hope may be expressed in many forms but is always embodied in Immanuel, God with us. Those who encountered this man were transformed. He gave Mary Magdalene back her sanity, Zacchaeus back his self respect, Peter a second chance, the Samaritan at the well hope, and Paul a totally new life. As Frederick Buechner writes, “Zaccheus climbs up a sycamore tree a crook and climbs down a saint. Paul sets out as a hatchet man for the Pharisees and comes back a fool for Christ. It is impossible for anybody to leave behind the darkness of the world he carries on his back like a snail, but for God all things are possible.”

Some days I feel like a wanderer who needs to come home to familiar ground and saving grace. We seek meaning and beauty in a ruthless world and are in need of facing our failures and regaining our bearings. When we look to Jesus Christ our bearings are found because we see His beauty and the wickedness in our own hearts. As Buechner writes, “I am evil in the imagination of my heart and when I look into the mirror all in a lather what I see is at least eight parts chicken, phoney, slob. That is a tragedy. But it is also news that I am loved anyway, cherished, forgiven, bleeding to be sure, but also bled for.”
A poem from which I have reflected on numerous times this year, “This creator, Whose breadth of vision spans time – And spawns a cosmos; Whose woven tapestry of purpose, More compound than chaos, Eclipsing complexity, Rolls out like a highway through history; Whose heartbeat deafens supernovas. This playwright, playing with the deaths and entrances of stars; Scripting the end from the beginning; Knowing the purpose of the play; Watches my feeble audition, and writes me in.”
Thank you for your friendship, prayers, and financial gifts. Have a wonderful holiday and remember to celebrate. We have so much to be grateful for. Dream big in 2008!

A Christmas letter by Joel Vestal 12/21/07

May the discovery of God’s mission Bring you Love

May The remembrance of the coming of Christ Bring you Peace

May the reality of the presence of Christ Bring you Joy

May the radiance of the glory of Christ Bring you Hope

May the renewing of His Spirit Bring you Life

(By Joel Vestal:  January 1, 2007)

People with broken houses. His global missional travels have offered him sights of countless homes ranging from under construction to devastation by the toxic effect of extreme poverty.

People with broken arms. Zayd once saw a man with just one arm in Raxaul, India. The absence of the typical other is an image that arrested his thoughts and remains with him even now. He was deeply bothered.

Children with broken toys. Of all miracles that belong to the little years, perhaps it’s the unalloyed compassion for those without that’s the most riveting. Wherever Zayd goes, he sees children who have few or no toys. This concerns him deeply, even hurts him.

So Zayd’s short and sincere prayers revolve most around asking God’s help for those with broken houses, broken arms and broken toys. His prayers are selfless. But as I’ve listened to the heart behind his words, I’m reminded that while we’re right to offer grateful prayers for how God provides for us, and it’s important to intercede for the poor and marginalized, there’s something else we’re made to inhabit. We’re made by God to be instruments of justice and dispensers of compassion for the least of these on our planet. We’re made to be like Jesus, who went about doing good.

When someone asked Martin Luther what he’d do if Jesus was returning tomorrow, he replied, “I would plant a tree.” It seems to me what Luther was saying is that there’s work to be done with a future hope and beauty in mind. He had a long term perspective and so should we. Waiting for the return of Christ should mean more than believing in a heaven where all things broken will be made whole. For the renown of God, it should compel us to notice the broken houses and arms and toys – and do something about them. We’re made for the shape of being peacekeepers and hope-givers and soul-lovers. We’re made by God to look at the brokenness of this world and then enter into the mystery and the pain of it holding high the good name of Jesus as we make it our business to help heal what’s been shattered and torn and in need of a Savior’s restoration. May He invade our minds, transform our hearts, and guide our feet.

Stay Led! Joel Vestal

October 2, 2006

The word Entrepreneur comes from a French word meaning, one who takes into hand. Introduced in the 19th century by French economist Jan-Baptiste Say, entrepreneur characterizes a certain kind of economic actor. It is not merely someone who opens a business, but rather someone who, shifts resources from one area of lower productivity into another area of higher productivity.

Twentieth Century growth economist Joseph Schumpeter characterized the entrepreneur as the source of creative destruction necessary for major economic advances. Look at the individuals who re-imagined cars (Henry Ford) and computers (Steven Jobs) into mass-market goods. They destroyed the patterns of their industries, paving the way for leaps in productivity and triggering waves of change. The danger of comparing the mission enterprise of the church to business enterprise models is a risky one because it does not always allow a quantifiable way of measuring the results, as some want to do. Some regions of the world are very hostile to the Gospel and have been unresponsive for decades.However, important work has gone forth there. There must be some way for the historic global mission enterprise that is often modeled by western values and culture to be destroyed so new ways that are culturally relevant to people can increase Kingdom innovation, productivity and fruit. Individuals around the world who desire to advance the Kingdom of God in word and deed need our encouragement, support and friendship. These individuals who want to launch new churches, justice advocacy programs, evangelistic outreaches, micro-enterprise endeavors, orphanages and training centers for local pastors must be encouraged. We in the west must also be willing to embrace, educate and edify local leaders in the process. In turn, local and innovative leaders must know they are not alone. They are critical for paving the way for change, innovation and fruit.

ServLife aims to find the Kingdom Entrepreneurs of the world and help them. These men and women of all ages are creatively destroying the old patterns of colonial, western-dominated missions. It is our duty, joy and obligation to support them, encourage them, fund them and journey with them for the sake of God’s glory among all nations of the earth and the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many individuals in the west who possess a sense of idealism, possibility, hope and vision for global Kingdom impact and intervention unlike that ever seen to date. They have a sense of urgency to act instead of simply following traditional models or institutions. They want to make a difference with their lives, their money and their vocations and, consequently, have far less loyalty and trust for the establishment of the missionary or relief/development enterprise that currently exists. In addition, there is a growing desire for strong community, multi-cultural teams, incarnation, justice, holistic ministry and indigenous collaboration; basically not going it solo as westerners. People want organic, grass-roots type of involvement. In Joel 2:28, Scripture reads, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Gifted individuals in many countries have visions and dreams about advancing the Gospel, ending hunger and furthering the Kingdom of God. They are true apostolic leaders, and they are stepping out in faith, sharing their visions with no help from large missions and ecclesiological structures. This creation of new apostolic structures (sending mechanisms) is spreading around the world and needs to continue. Momentum is growing as a result of and despite:

• The global cultural realities: globalization, integration and growth of technology, migration/immigration, post-colonial; economic prosperity, post-dictatorship nations; etc.

• The church realities: post-denominational; house/simple church growth (new models); growth of global church; growth of non-western mission workers; mobilization of Kingdom professionals; etc.

ServLife will enlist, activate, and deploy people working in communal groups to find these Kingdom Entrepreneurs of the world; men and women of all ages who will be the change, innovation and fruit mentioned here. As Americans, it is our duty, joy and obligation to support them, encourage them, fund them and journey with them, not only for their benefit but also for our own as the western church. We must have global community in order for full transformation to occur. There has been a strong awareness among young leaders and communities about these issues for some time. Although previous generations may have understood these issues to some degree, it is my opinion that they are emerging now as a unique development in today’s global body of Christ and the mission movement. When I share these ideas among others, there is an overwhelming sense of affirmation and agreement.

These issues include:

• The historic global mission enterprise, often captured by western pragmatic values.

• Churches in other cultures that have not been valued or embraced must now be allowed and encouraged to be themselves instead of existing as mere adaptations of western values, customs and styles.

• The need to deconstruct existing mission models while respecting and honoring them, and creating new ways to increase innovation, productivity and fruit in individuals and societies. There must be innovation in the ways churches and mission organizations have previously operated.

We must address the major regrets, mistakes and hindrances the western Christian mission movement has made. These are:

• Exporting a western Gospel aligned with western ideals and values.
• Defining missions as solely evangelistic and not holistic in terms of meeting physical and spiritual needs.
• Concerning ourselves more with nationals who conform to our theology and the way church is done (ecclesiology).
• Supporting a strategy that says the westerner is the only actor in the play or the only player on the field.
• Issues of injustice around the world.

My understanding has evolved into a strong conviction that God is working on the edges of the Church in ways not previously acknowledged by mainline church bodies. God is at work within the entire body of Christ, just as He is at work within other areas of society. There needs to be more effort in telling the stories and connecting the mainline/historical church with the emerging/newer global models of Kingdom work. I love the Church expressed in all her beauty. We are the bride of Christ, despite our division and lack of unity. Will you join me with your prayers, your giving and your willingness to see the world become a different place in the name of Jesus Christ?

I heard a wise statement one time, “You don’t have to be rich to be a slave to riches.” Many of us think that one has to have wealth to be a slave to it. But the poor can be a slave to wealth just as much as the rich. The core of the matter is not the size of our portfolio, our ability to retire by the age of 45, or how poor we are. The issues really are – are our hearts pure? Are our intentions pure? Are our decisions to invest in the Kingdom of God greater rather than our own financial security? Jesus wants and calls us to be a slave to himself (Matthew 16:24-25). The whole goal of spiritual formation is that our obedience and loyalty rests in Jesus and his purposes on the earth that He teaches in the scriptures. The words of Mahatma Gandhi ring true to my ear as a result of traveling through the world and seeing human suffering, “The world has enough for every man’s need, but not enough for every man’s greed.” Now the need Gandhi was referring to was not the need for a vacation in the Caymans or U2’s latest album but the basic needs of survival for any human being: food, water, & shelter. I have traveled in over 65 nations and have seen human suffering in some of the poorest regions on our globe. It is always interesting to hear people’s opinions of poverty when they see if first hand. I have heard comments like, “Jesus said we will always have the poor with us, so why do anything?” or “The poor are so much more closer to God” or “Why do people suffer like this when there is so much wealth in the world?” Is it possible that there is an over spiritualized given to the poor? Can the poor be closer to God or love God more? Indeed, you can find scripture to back this position up. Look at the story of the rich man and Lazarus, James wrote, “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” (2:5-6). However, looking at the scriptures, you cannot ignore the material wealth of people who loved God: Abraham, Moses, Job, King Solomon, and Zaccchaeus. Of course, Jesus did not say it was hard for the poor to enter the Kingdom of God but the rich. Luke’s account of the sermon on the amount starts by, “Blessed are the poor.” Surely, this issue is a debate within the church and will always be. Historically, you do see the poor in many countries who respond to the gospel in greater numbers than the rich. Look around Africa or the low caste within India. In our own personal journeys and communal journeys, allow us to ponder some basic issues in our constant struggle with our relationship with money. Let me suggest also for you to pray about these issues, discuss with your spouse or children, talk about in your church group.

1.) An issue of Discipleship: In our process of spiritual formation to become like Christ in our thoughts and behavior, we must always see our relationship with money as a key area to grow and mature in. We must master money and not let money master us. Jesus talked about money the most in his teachings next to the Kingdom of God. I believe that in our own journeys we should seek out relationship with the poor and oppressed both in our own communities and around the world. Jesus spoke that what you have done to the least of these (the poor) by feeding, clothing, and loving you have done as unto him. (Matthew 25) The reason Jesus said that the poor will always be with us, is that we can meet and experience Jesus in the midst of loving and serving the poor.

2.) An issue of Standard of Living: Consumption and Excess: Many good Christians in North America have added an 11th commandment. “My salary has increased, therefore, my standard of living must increase.” Surely, the materialism that is within the church in this country is appalling to God. We all feel we have to buy things we don’t really need with money we don’t even have to impress people we don’t even know. We consume too much and have excess stuff from our shoes to our entertainment. We radically need instruction and change in this area. Imagine how many resources could be unleashed for Kingdom work if Christians radically reduced their luxuries?

3.) An issue of Global Missions and Justice: Our goal as Christ followers is not just for our own spiritual journey, healing, and growth. We are involved in the expansion and growth of the Kingdom of God in the world. We have been sent to be salt and light in tasteless and dark cultures around the globe. We are a part of a worldwide movement of God in the world. There still exist over 1,800 distinct ethnic groups in the world without a church in their culture. We are to champion and speak for justice, human rights, the environment, & peace in the world. Missionaries, mission organizations, and causes always have more need than funding. What a great problem it would be if missions had more money than they could spend? Is that realistic you ask? Absolutely. It is estimated that the Christians in North America alone spend over $80 billion on charities that are not Christian causes.

4.) An issue of the heart and not the size of your bank account. One of the hardest spiritual disciplines to practice is giving. Remembering the words the Lord himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35) One summer while I was in college, I worked on staff in an inner-city church in Houston, TX. One Sunday as I was locking up, a Hispanic woman said she had to go get her tithe for that day and asked if I could wait while she went to get it. Little did I know that I would wait for 45 minutes while she walked home. I got impatient and was very hungry. Finally, she arrived and handed me the small envelope and she went on her way. I saw that it was open and looked inside and found 1 dime. That is right, a 45 minute walk for 10 cents. I could not believe it. Can we learn the gift of giving like this woman? I hope her example and and discipline can be a model for us all. Indeed, it is better to give than receive.

The American dream, what is it? Independence, personal rights, the pursuit of pleasure, safety, freedom, and security give us a bit of a description. Were these the characteristics of the teachings of Jesus? I would argue that the core of the teachings of Jesus and “American dream” stand in contradiction to each other. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.” (John 14:12) Jesus was not about his own pleasure, safety, or security but he came to do the will of the father who sent him. Jesus says “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it (Lk.9:23-24).A call to Jesus is a call to die to our own will, pleasures, and ambitions and embrace the will of the God the father. We know that the will of God is that the gospel must be preached to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20; Rev. 7:9-10). We know that the will of God is to minister and care for the poor (Ps 140:12; 1 Jn.3:17)The “American Dream” is what has captivated Christians in American. We are more occupied with our own safety than God’s glory among all nations and justice to the poor. We are more consumed with financial security than doing the will of God by caring for the orphan and widow (Jam 1:27). The Great Commission cannot be taken seriously because millions of Christians bathe in the pool of luxury and safety while billions die without Christ and live in poverty without the the basic necessities of life. What is God going to say to us on judgment day? The church in America is a sleeping giant desperately needing to be awakened to God’s global heart and passion for all nations to know and worship him. I am greatly disturbed of how Christians feel that our political process will save our society and the world. As election year is upon us, we need this reminder, “It is not by might, nor power, but my Spirit says the Lord! (Zach 4:6) Thomas Merton writes, “If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair; but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.”

Are you living for God? What is keeping you from fully giving your life to God? What is keeping you from living for his desire to be known and worshiped on every shore and among every tribe on earth? Are you living simply so other may simply live? Are you more concerned with the “American Dream” than being a true disciple of
Jesus? I pray we all can live fully for the purposes of God and His glory and not get trapped in living for the American dream that will disappoint. Meditate on these words of a song written in 1868 by Mary Thomson:

“O Christians, haste, your mission high fulfilling, to tell to the entire world that God is light; that he who made all nations is not willing one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious; give of your wealth to speed them on their way; pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious; and all your spending Jesus will repay.”

Following the Purposes of God!