As Heather shared in her blog post yesterday, we receive mixed messages as American believers. We know that Christ called us to lose ourselves and our possessions so that we could find Him and have everlasting life. Throughout the gospels there are parables and stories about how it is impossible to serve two masters and for a rich man to enter into the gates of heaven. Heather is right in naming that by the world's standards we are unfathomably rich, but by the standards of the culture we live in, we are middle class. We are making it, but it is through the grace of God. One catastrophe and we are in trouble, but for God. I know that is how it should be. If we rely on ourselves we tend to think we don't need God. Knowing that everything we have is from His hands, not only keeps us humble but makes us focused on how we can serve others. This makes sense and it is the desire of our hearts, but here is the reality. We have also been told that it is important to make sure that you have health and life insurance, that we do our best to save in the event of an emergency so that we can provide for our families and for others in need.
Our parents taught us to save and to work hard. We have retirement accounts and insurance policies, and college funds for our children. This is a natural, normal, encouraged thing to do in our society. In order to do this it requires steady, gainful employment and a focus on where your income goes. Not a bad thing in and of itself, but definitely a focus.
Before this study I thought we were doing okay with our current lifestyle. Blessed, thankful, and working hard to honor God with all of it through tithing, time, and talents. In reading the study I am conflicted as well. I have much more than I realized compared to my believers in the rest of the world. As I am becoming more and more mindful of the needs of others and the abundance in my life, it is calling me to re-evaluate to re-consider what I really have and what I do every day and why? This self-assessment can be both uncomfortable and convicting but I have learned this is where the best introspection and growth comes from. Scripture asks us to allow God to search our hearts and to try us...This is so we can grow in Christ. I don't know the answers or the outcome but I serve a Savior who does. The searching isn't easy but the growing closer in our walk will be worth it. Less of me, more of Him.
Sincerely,
Dawn
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