True but incomplete

I've been reminded recently that there is no virtue inherent in poverty. That is to say that pursuit of poverty can lead to a sense of self-righteousness. We can become proud of our lowly estate and begin to think that we have reached a plain of higher holiness than the world around us.

It is with that in mind that we must remind ourselves while considering material possessions - it must be with the mind of Christ that we consider the things we have. It is not merely a mimicking of his actions which leads to joyful giving, it is a right attitude toward the kingdom that can produce only humility and gratitude. There is no place for pride when the things I give are not really mine to begin with. When everything is named properly as to its owner, the giver becomes merely the steward.

Reaching way back

A couple of hard quotes...their difficulty cannot be the reason for indifference:

"God ordered all things to be produced so that there would be common food for all, and so that the earth would be the common inheritance of all. Thus, nature has produced a common right, but greed has made it the right of a few." - Ambrose of Milan

"How think you that you obey Christ's commandments, when you spend your time collecting interest, piling up loans, buying slaves like livestock, and merging business with business?...And that is not all. Upon all this you heap injustice, taking possession of lands and houses, and multiplying poverty and hunger." - John Chrysostom

I've been reviewing the Sermon on the Mount recently, and have begun to earnestly seek to know the will of God concerning material possessions. The SoM has much to say, and most of it is not easy for the 21st century American audience to hear without becoming defensive. I hope to pursue a personal honesty with regard to what it says. When we place ourselves in the role of the beggar, the homeless, the needy (our proper spiritual perspective), it's easier to release physical comfort and spend more time seeking the best for the eternal kingdom.

Do I still get my presents?

So, we're face to face with the incarnation. The image of God giving all that is his to take on all that should have been ours. In the meantime, we live in denial of what we deserve and in prideful expectation.

Blessed are those who mourn. Mourning and joy are the same. We mourn sin and live in the joy of redemption. The more we mourn, the greater our experience of joy. Joy will not (really) increase without increased mourning.

Paradoxes like this surround us all during this time, just as they did 2000 years ago. The king born in a manger. The humble king, the king who befriends the leper, the king who spends time with the broken and lonely - ultimately, his followers will need to get the message.

Quick one

Can a 21st century American possibly be redeemed? Certainly, I'm not God. I do know this, though. Social justice will compel those who love Jesus to give up much of what modern culture holds dear. No, love for Jesus will compel those who love Jesus to give up much of what modern culture holds dear. We cannot live as if this world is our home and simultaneously claim citizenship in the next.

Imitating?

To whom will God grant Nashville? Clearly, the churches in the city are content with their usual crowds. Who, then, will be the prophet who captures the city's attention. Like prophets of old, they will probably encounter abuse, resistance, captivity...will he wear camel hair and eat honey? He probably won't be dressed in a pin stripe suit. How did the followers of Christ come to be associated with such symbols? The poor and powerless Jesus represented by the slick and well-groomed minister? Hardly.

Don't take me too negatively. God could use one of these modern men to accomplish his purpose, but why do we insist that he do so? Why can't we become like him instead?

The Three Step Program to achieve Death

What does it mean to live like Jesus? I mean, really, what would I do tomorrow if I wanted to live like the one I claim to love? I'm fairly certain life would look vastly different than it does now. For one, I consume too much of what is given to me. I spend huge amounts of effort just to maintain my own security. Most of what I work for ends up serving me. Conversely, I don't give time, money, anything in amount of any significance. I don't pour blessing into the lives of other people. I don't serve others in matters of substance. If examined by a third party, they would have to conclude that the purpose of my existence is self-sustenance. All of that is exactly what Jesus does not represent. He had everything and gave it all up. He lived and served and exerted effort for the sole purpose of declaring the kingdom of God. He had no place to lay his head, and he's the Lord of the universe. Who am I to claim so much for myself? How dare I take advantage of his sacrifice on my behalf and live as if my kingdom is more important than His?

What does it look like? It looks like change. It looks like passionately embracing sacrifice and pain because reality is that sacrifice is not sacrifice...it's life. Pain is not pain...it's joy. Christ doesn't exist to validate that I'm doing a good job. He says "Come. Follow me."