The conversation floated to giving and talking about how once again, I gave, but never to the amount that I had felt any discomfort (the running theme in my life, to this point, is obviously self-preservation). The other person said that God expects 10% (a common misconception) and that He has blessed us with what we have. He wants us to be happy, and enjoy life. I don't disagree that God wants us to be happy.
What I believe though, is that our hearts should be broken more for those who have little, than happy for the things we have been given.
Maybe that is a little self-defeating, but Jesus never told anyone to go and gather up their money and buy new or better possessions. If anything, He told them to go sell everything they had and give it to the poor, or to drop it all and just go with Him. I believe we'll be much happier and fulfilled when we see justice done in the name of God than we will when a new toy arrives in the mail. Psalm 37:4 says to delight yourself in Him, and He'll give you the desires of your heart. Notice that before those desires are met, you must delight yourself in Him. When you are delighted in the Lord, your desires will match that of God - in essence, you'll desire the same things that God desires.
I know this was a bit random, but I'm getting ready to read the book "Radical" and the "trailer" made me realize I had better be prepared for this read...
4 comments:
Great post and great thoughts, bro. I, too, have been struggling with some of those same questions. Comparing ourselves to others is dangerous because it's a moving target and there will always be someone who does or gives more. So it's not a comparison to others that has me unsettled, but a ratio of how engaged my heart is in freely pouring back out of my life from what has been so graciously poured in. It's a ratio of what I give, not just $-wise, to what I've received. It's a ratio of grace distributed to grace lavished.
Brian, this is great. I love that so many of us are digging into the same issues, and realizing we have so much still left to do. I know for me I'm constantly realizing that although I give, serve, and have a "ministry", my life, giving and serving are all still rooted in me and my comfort. My life and my goals haven't suffered in the least when I give or serve. And that might be a problem. Sometimes the key is getting out of the comfort zone we so delicately call "God's will" for our lives and step into the radical calling that all believers have - to be selfless.
Good stuff, man. Grant was right when he said it's a moving target. You can't compare yourself to anybody. If you tried, you'd have to look at people like Mother Teresa and, I'm sorry, but none of us are making it to that level.
Instead of comparing, we've got to focus on abiding in Christ; staying close and walking out our lives in God's will. The closer we stay, the more His Word permeates our lives.
When we're close to Him and he says to give up everything, it's not 'radical' as the world loves to call it. It's just normal. It's what we do. It's who we are. It's WHY God made us.
Love ya, man. Keep on fightin' the good fight.
Excellent post, Brian...you've given me quite a bit to think about as we near the time of "Radical." Looking forward to it!
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