I'll admit up front that I am not a huge watcher or reader of the news. Usually the only times I see the news are on the treadmill at the gym and those mornings and evenings when I want to find out what the weather will be like. Nevertheless, there are times when a particular news story strikes me and makes me think about things.
That happened to me yesterday as I was signing in to my Yahoo account. I noticed a headline about protestors in New York, which had led to something like 400 arrests over the weekend. The reason for the protests: a few college students started the protest about 3 weeks ago to protest how big businesses were influencing the government, which, in turn, was passing bills which would help those businesses that were helping fund their campaigns. What started out as a few students has led to the huge debacle that caught my attention.
I realize that money has always been a matter of concern for us as humans. Even back in the biblical times, Paul had to warn the young Timothy that the "love of money is a root of evil." But more and more, it seems that this nation has become all about money and profit. Sports leagues disagree about how to divide up billions of dollars. Politicians try to spur on the economy because it helps raise money. We get regular reports on how much money presidential hopefuls have raised for their campaigns. Even many "Christian" books are written on how God wants everyone to be rich and wealthy, and how to get that way in X number of steps.
Jesus said that, where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Sadly, much of western culture now seems to have their heart set on their treasure. 401k's, savings accounts, checking accounts, all of these now seem to be used to determine how much a person is worth. And I find that very sad.
This single-minded pursuit of wealth and money contributes to the "I'm in it for myself", individualistic mindset that has come to be identified with most of Western society. And that, more than almost anything, is why I cannot say that North America is a Christian society. Throughout the Bible, we find God's constant refrain of caring for others, being part of a community, looking toward the needs of others, and being a good neighbor to others.
To be honest, there is much sin everywhere in the world, and North America is no exception. That is really where the stark contrast of God's good news in the Gospel carries a truly different message. You are not valued because of how much money you have, or how well-off you are. You are valued because God has loved you so much that He would willingly empty Himself to win you back. Rich or poor, healthy or sick, influential or not, God values you infinitely more than He values your net worth.
That is truly startling news in a culture defined by the pursuit of wealth and individualism. It makes the proclamation of God's Gospel message so vitally important, and yet, so foreign in our all too human ears.
That happened to me yesterday as I was signing in to my Yahoo account. I noticed a headline about protestors in New York, which had led to something like 400 arrests over the weekend. The reason for the protests: a few college students started the protest about 3 weeks ago to protest how big businesses were influencing the government, which, in turn, was passing bills which would help those businesses that were helping fund their campaigns. What started out as a few students has led to the huge debacle that caught my attention.
I realize that money has always been a matter of concern for us as humans. Even back in the biblical times, Paul had to warn the young Timothy that the "love of money is a root of evil." But more and more, it seems that this nation has become all about money and profit. Sports leagues disagree about how to divide up billions of dollars. Politicians try to spur on the economy because it helps raise money. We get regular reports on how much money presidential hopefuls have raised for their campaigns. Even many "Christian" books are written on how God wants everyone to be rich and wealthy, and how to get that way in X number of steps.
Jesus said that, where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Sadly, much of western culture now seems to have their heart set on their treasure. 401k's, savings accounts, checking accounts, all of these now seem to be used to determine how much a person is worth. And I find that very sad.
This single-minded pursuit of wealth and money contributes to the "I'm in it for myself", individualistic mindset that has come to be identified with most of Western society. And that, more than almost anything, is why I cannot say that North America is a Christian society. Throughout the Bible, we find God's constant refrain of caring for others, being part of a community, looking toward the needs of others, and being a good neighbor to others.
To be honest, there is much sin everywhere in the world, and North America is no exception. That is really where the stark contrast of God's good news in the Gospel carries a truly different message. You are not valued because of how much money you have, or how well-off you are. You are valued because God has loved you so much that He would willingly empty Himself to win you back. Rich or poor, healthy or sick, influential or not, God values you infinitely more than He values your net worth.
That is truly startling news in a culture defined by the pursuit of wealth and individualism. It makes the proclamation of God's Gospel message so vitally important, and yet, so foreign in our all too human ears.
so are you saying that Jesus would have been part of the protest or not?
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent question. Maybe He wouldn't have been part of the protest, but He would tell both the protestors and the "big businesses" what was wrong in their beliefs and thinking.
ReplyDelete