| | Thanks to Jim, Sam, PJ, Renae, the Clarks, Jordan and Rachel for your 'comments' on the previous three posts. Thanks also to Greg Mutch and others from my house church who have taken the time to read through these posts. I look forward to the on-going discussion and exploration of this issue!
Last year, I wrote a 10-page paper entitled "A Theology of Poverty," which was dubbed seminary level by my prof. So a lot of what I've been sharing has been tidbits from that paper, plus more of my own personal input (that is what a blog is for, right?) and further development/unpacking of some ideas. This is stuff I've been wrestling with for a year and a half, and it is good to know I'm not the only one wrestling!!
As this mental wrestling match continues, here are some thoughts that seem to pin me down to the mat....
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1. Regarding affluence
I know of numerous individuals and families who, quite frankly, are rolling in the dough. They have nice homes, nice clothes, and nice vehicles. They do not flaunt their wealth... instead, they share it with others. They open the doors of their homes to strangers, and friends seem to frequent their homes more often than some of their own family members do! These people have dedicated themselves to being hospitable and welcoming to everyone who walks through their doors... and they do a fine job of it.
How do you reconcicle Jesus' regular rebuking of the rich/affluent with the amazing ministry that is being accomplished by these families?
Just because people have a lot of money and resources, does that mean that Jesus is speaking directly to them when he denounces the rich and affluent? What significance do His words hold for those who are not rich/affluent -- did they apply to the poor woman who gave two mites of her significantly lacking monetary resources?
I don't know what to think of people like Joseph of Arithemea, who provided the fine linens for Jesus' body to be wrapped in and secured for Him proper burial grounds... Jesus seems to have benefited from the rich, people who he had earlier vehemently spoken out against.
And what about...
- The Roman centurion whose servant Jesus healed (Mt.
8:5-13);
- The royal official in Capernauam whose son was ill (Jn 4:46-54);
- Matthew’s tax-collector friends, who likely weren’t all impoverished (Mt. 9:10);
- Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, whose twelve-year-old daughter Jesus
declared was not dead but sleeping (Mt. 9:18-25, Mk 5:22-23, 35-42);
- Joanna, the wife of Herod's household manager, and other women who supported Jesus "out of their own means" (Luke 8:3);
- Jesus’
friend Lazarus, whose sister Mary just happened to have costly perfume worth 300
denarii, or about a year’s wages, that she used to anoint Jesus (Jn 12:2-5, NRSV
footnote j).
- The owner of the house with a large guest room upstairs, furnished
and ready for the Last Supper (Mk. 14:13-16);
- Nicodemus, a Pharisee who was a leader of the Jews (Jn 3:1);
What about these people? What significance did Jesus' words have for them? Was Jesus rebuking these people as well?
2. Regarding the 'Eye of a Needle' and the impossibility of the rich entering the kingdom
There is great debate regarding the true meaning of "eye of a needle." Just Google "eye of needle camel" and you'll see a large variance of opinions.
One site I checked out argues that the Greek word used for "needle" describes a tool used in sewing, and the word that the pysician Luke uses describes a tool used in surgical stitching.
I personally believe that Jesus was clearly speaking about a literal needle. Hard to swallow, it'd be much easier to think that He was talking about a narrow gate in Jerusalem that camels had a hard time passing through .... but the original text and word usage speaks a lot more clearly than any legends about the Jerusalem city gates.
3. Regarding my cognitive dissonance
I'll be honest... I like money. I like the smell of crisp bills... I love signing the digital touch pads when I use my debit card... I love my job with EMR (ask me about it...) because I get to hand out money to people when they fill out a survey.
I also love spending money. I love coffeeshops... I spend way too much on music at iTunes... I am a gas-a-holic... I enjoy treating my fiance Andi with fine dinners (as fine as Applebees and Noodles can be  )... I went out on a limb and purchased an engagement ring that was a "step up" from the one Andi picked out....
Sometimes I even wonder why I didn't go into business. In high school, I was the manager of the school store... participated and won several DECA marketing competitions... was told by teachers to pursue a career in sales/business... and now, working for Edison (even though its temporary survey work) has placed me back in the business realm. I enjoy chatting with Meijer execs and bigwigs... and honestly, I really like the fact that I am earning a ridiculous amount of money per hour with them.
You can imagine the struggle I have, writing this series on poverty & theology... when I myself fall into the category of people Jesus seems to speak out against. What I write, though, is a reflection of what is etched on my heart... if only it were etched into my actions, into my spending, into my pursuits.... wow.
(I'll probably come back to this later and add more thoughts... I have many.)
I found this article especially helpful.
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| | Posted 3/10/2006 2:19 AM - 10 Views - 8 eProps - 5 comments
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Don't let this go to your already over-sized head, my friend, but I plan on printing and saving a copy of your theology of poverty for further reflection....I love spending money as well, and it's kind of ironic that we both love to spend money and we're both in youth ministry (i.e. not a very high-paying career, depending on where you go)...Remind me to make sure I spend some time with you and Andi (i.e. obviously apart from the wedding) before you two leave Michigan for good 
