"What's your definition of a Christian? Is it broad enough to encompass the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, and broken people of the world? Jesus said that he came to heal the sick. Drug addicts are messed up just the same as liars are messed up, just the same as all humans are messed up. We all need Jesus.
What's worse? To not do dope or to not love your brother? Why do we kick drug users out of church while quietly ignoring those who aren't dealing with other, equally destructive sins? Why do we reject the loving, self-sacrificing, giving, encouraging, Jesus-pursuing drug addict but recruit the clean, self-interested, gossiping, loveless churchgoer?"
I was sitting through the second session at our church's Middle school retreat, where the speaker was talking about doing things that aren't always the most fun in order to reach the best destination. He gave the following wake up call of how we spend our money that I haven't been able to get off my mind.
"I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but when I do decide to get something to drink it's a decked up, $4 drink from Starbucks. And it occurred to me...If, over time, I were to buy 3 or 4 of those drinks, I would have spent enough money on trying to satisfy me and make me happy to have supported a hungry kid in Africa for a whole month."
I had never thought of it that way. Do you realize what we American Christians have done? We have lulled ourselves into thinking that we're giving a large amount of our income to the church and to missions when we continue to spend even more of our money on our Sunday morning Dutch bros. coffee or on a new outfit (even though we have plenty of perfectly good clothes in our closet already) or on a cellphone upgrade (even though our current phone does its job just fine). Why not give that money away too?
People say it's crazy. But isn't that the way we're supposed to live? Francis Chan (pastor and author) said, "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers."
I recently finished Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love" and was great challenged by was he said in one of his chapters, titled "Profile of the Obsessed". Basically, what does the life of a person, who is obsessed with Jesus, look like? One of his characteristics is this: Crazy Ones.
"When I returned from my first trip to Africa, I felt very strongly that we were to sell our house and move into something smaller, in order to give more away. The feedback I got was along the lines of "It's not fair to your kids," "It's not a prudent financial choice," and "You are doing it just for show." I do not remember a single person who encouraged me to explore it or supported the decision at the time. We ended up moving into a house half the size of our previous home, and we haven't regretted it. My response to the cynics, in the context of eternity, was, am I the crazy one for selling my house? Or are you for not giving more, serving more, being with your Creator more?"
People thought that was crazy. After all, that's quite contrary to the American dream. Our whole culture is striving to upgrade. They work towards a bigger house, nicer car, newest technology. But why? Why should we?
We have a different calling. We have a different hope. When we let go of those unnecessary worldly possessions, we show where our true citizenship is.
Do you really believe that when you give, of your time, money, and other resources, you are actually storing up treasure in heaven? Because if you did...wouldn't that completely throw your financial priorities for a spin. No longer would it be a question of, "how much giving is required of me?" "how much, or rather little, can I put it the offering plate and still be considering a generous, giving, good Christian?" Wouldn't we be looking for opportunities to give more? Looking for places in the budget that can be trimmed so that more could be given to those who don't even have the little blessings we so often take for granted?
As C.S. Lewis, in his book "Mere Christianity", put it:
"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words,' if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small."
This is what God has been challenging me with lately. And I don't want you to feel like I'm pointing my finger at you. I just want to challenge you with what I've been challenged with. To give like crazy.
For the last few months, our web designer, Matthew, has been working with members from his church to start up H2O in Zion Crossroads, Virginia. Just this afternoon, 25 of them filled 200 H2O bags after their morning services. Generous donations were given to the congregation from stores in the city. And members of the church cheerfully gave as well, allowing the bags to be given out for free to drivers. God is already blessing the obedience of Life at Zion church.
For more information on Life at Zion, visit their website www.lifeatzion.com
When we glance to the curb at the end of an exit ramp and see a homeless person standing with his sign, it is sometimes hard to see past the layer of dirt on his clothes, the exhausted expression on his face, and the bags of garbage and meager supplies by his side. It is easy to be distracted by the sign begging for help, money, anything. Instead of seeing and loving the heart inside, we tend to dread the disturbance and guilt we feel when we see him.
I've been serving at the Rescue Mission fairly regularly the last few months, and every time I go I'm reminded once again that homeless people are more than just "the man on the curb with a sign". They are human beings just like me with emotions, feelings, fears, and dreams. Laughter, love, and pain. Each one has a past. Each one has a story. Each one has a soul.
The country band, Emerson Drive, wrote a song entitled "Moments", which reminds me again of who homeless people really are. They are just like me. Check out this music video of their song.
Ever wondered what reaction you'll get from the panhandlers receiving your bags?
"I was just on my way home from lunch with my husband and gave out one of your bags for the first time. The man came up to the window I handed him the bag and said it was full of snacks. As he walked back to his spot he opened the bag, took out a snack and started munching on it. Then he turned to me and gave me two thumbs up! It's such a wonderful ministry you two have. Thanks!"
