As I have mentioned in the “about” section of my website, I feel most of us have waded in the shallows for far too long. Too many of us are still drinking milk when we should be chewing on a sizzlin’ and delicious rib-eye steak. Therefore, some of my posts might be perceived to “step on toes.”
Realize that nothing I post hasn’t already stepped on MY own toes. In fact that’s why I share some of them – God stepped on my toes and I want to share the pain with you! And also realize that if you are wanting to grow with God, you’d better lace up your steel-toed boots and put on your big boy or big girl underoos, cause God isn’t in the habit of tiptoeing around our feelings! He is in the habit of stepping on toes to get us on the track to being more like Jesus. Sometimes I wish that weren’t the case, but fortunately His yoke is easy and His burden is light (but He never said there won’t be a yoke or burden!).
Now… Warning – Sensitivity Advisory Label!
If you don’t like posts that step on toes – skip this one.
But for those of you who have adventurous toes that don’t mind a little danger, by all means continue!
What does it mean to be rich?
What does it mean to be rich toward God?
I believe the answer is wisely explained by John Piper in his book to pastors (Brothers, We Are Not Professionals). But as these words were so convicting to me, I wanted to share them with you. (As I said – I like to share the pain!)
“Being ‘rich toward God’ means looking Godward for heavenly wealth. …God gives us money on earth in order that we may invest it for dividends in heaven. …God is not glorified when we keep for ourselves (no matter how thankfully) what we ought to be using to alleviate the misery of unevangelized and uneducated and unhoused and unfed millions.
“The evidence that many of our people are not rich toward God is how little they give and how much they own.
“Very few of our people have said to themselves: we will live at a level of joyful, wartime simplicity and use the rest of what we earn to alleviate misery. But surely that is what Jesus wants. I do not see how we can read the New Testament, then look at two billion unevangelized people, and still build another barn for ourselves. We can only justify the exorbitance of our lifestyle by ignoring the lostness of the unreached and the misery of the poor.
“…there are three levels of how to live with things: (1) you can steal to get, (2) or you can work to get, (3) or you can work to get in order to give. …Almost all of the forces of our culture urge us to live on level two. But the Bible is unrelenting in pushing us to level three.
“You will have to make clear to the business people in your congregation that you are not against multimillion-dollar industries. Nor are you necessarily against [Christians with] six-digit salaries. The problem arises when they endorse the professional status quo that says a six-digit salary should have a six-digit lifestyle. It shouldn’t. Perhaps it should have a $40,000 lifestyle and support two families on a new mission field.
“The problem is not with earning a lot. The problem is the constant accumulation of luxuries that are soon felt to be needs.”
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! but Yes! Yes! Yes!
This commentary by Piper hurts my toes, but I find my heart in agreement with the answer. It’s like that “good soreness” after a workout. A pain, to be sure, but one that you know has stretched you and made you stronger.
I find that in regard to being rich toward God with my finances – my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. I want to live with simplicity. I want to embrace a Theology of Enough. But society pressures me to use my resources for myself. God help me to change and be rich toward You and Your Kingdom!
What do you think? Are Piper’s words Too harsh or are they On-Target?
— brian rushing
