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The Lord dropped a new magazine in my lap last night (via Ilene, via Derek) and I read one article that really spoke to me about poverty and hunger. The magazine is called “Outreach – Ideas, Insights & Stories”
The Nov/Dec special report issue that I have examines faith and economic uncertainty. Christ’s call to care for the poor. How churches are responding. And New Beginnings: stories of compassion and faith. The article that touched me was an interview of Francis Chan, in which he speaks on the Joy of Sacrifice. Francis pastors Cornerstone Community Church – in Simi Valley, California and is the author of the book “Crazy Love”. He has about 4000 attendee’s in a very prosperous area of our country. By all worldly measures, Francis is a success. He had a nice home, drove nice cars, could ensure the safety of his family, put his kids through college, had a nice retirement plan … you know … what we all strive for. But his heart was changed by obtaining a vision for the world and opening his eyes to the poverty all around us. Francis and his family made some drastic changes to their southern California lifestyle in order to make an impact. They gave up their comfortable home and moved into a smaller one in a different neighborhood, and when it came time to expand the church building because of capacity issues, his church created a new kind of church building (amphitheater vs traditional building) which saved millions of dollars. The interview describes his struggle to get his church to grasp his new found personal vision for sacrificial giving and the joy’s that come from it.
That’s just a short synopsis of the whole article, but it made me think about our struggles here in America (if they can even be categorized as such) – we wake up every day and try to create the most comfortable life we can have here on this earth. We try to get rid of pain or any discomfort and suddenly that becomes our life’s goal. I question if that is really what Jesus calls me to accomplish. My focus gets so jacked up sometimes. Do I really need two flat screen, high def TV’s with 250 channels of junk (well maybe just one, with all the sports channels) while some mother in Haiti is deciding which one of her children doesn’t get fed. Or could I be building a high school or orphanage overseas with the money I waste on my comfort and entertainment. As a believer, do I really think biblically!? Which is the fool? One who wants to invest in heaven and sacrifices his home on earth? Or one who hordes his stuff and doesn’t think about eternity?
You know, Francis built an outdoor amphitheater for $1 million versus the projected $20 million for a new facility. People (believers?) ridiculed him because people aren’t going to want to worship outdoors, they are going to want to “be comfortable” … yet it doesn’t bother me in the least, nor do I give it a second thought, to attend a football game dressed for arctic tundra weather – I tend to think the time for Christians to stop acting like the world and put their focus on eternal rewards, even if it means sacrifice here on earth, has come and is long overdue. And I’m not just referring to overseas commitments. Heaven knows there are plenty of opportunities right here in my backyard for eliminating poverty, hunger, abortion, crime, alcohol & drug abuse, etc.
C’mon Christians … it’s time to “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” When people see our actions – caring for the poor, sacrificing for someone else – something will resonate within them that says, “You know what – that is right!”
… ponder …
November 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
Morning Steve, I am here in VA meditating on Matthew 25: 31-46 and wondering just what it is God wants me to preach this morning and I read your article. I just read Crazy Love a few weeks ago and it is one of those rare life changing books. I will use some of your words this morning as I preach and I have the Outreach Magazine laying right behind me, I will read that before stepping into the pulpit this morning.
I believe you are right on.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
On my way to men’s group this morning I read your comment and immediately read the Matthew passage. The Lord is amazing, isn’t He? How He weaves all things together for His glory. I prayed all morning for you, that your words would be from the Holy Spirit and people would listen and hang off every word. I want you to know that your blog is a continual encouragement to me also. Sometimes it feels like you are all alone in this blogging thing, but take heart that I, and I’m sure many others, are continually blessed by your words and thoughts. Keep the faith cousin. Love you.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 am
Wow! I read that article yesterday at my buddie’s house during the SuperBowl and was blown away by what God has done in Chan’s life. To give up a nice home, a $20 million dollar building project for an outdoor ampatheator… what inspiriation to take the red letters of Jesus seriously! Thanks for sharing this!!!!!
February 3rd, 2009 at 3:20 am
Great stuff! I posted something of a similar issue in my blog. A friend was kind enough to direct me to your blog and to this particular post. Some churches back home (I’m from Malaysia) are in the phase of wanting to create massive structures. Although not in the capacity of building in the States but to our standards it is quite costly. I have no problems with this but what bothers me is that it seems that everyone (i am exaggerating a bit here but what i mean is in general) thinks that it is through massive furnished buildings with all the fancy stuff is what will attract people to the Christian faith.
I make me quiver that a large amount of money is being directed to support these endeavors, understanding them as ‘expanding the kingdom of God’. This is a trend that I am not in favor for. I think we can do better things with the money that we as a church use. Not only money but the energy and ideas that we can think of to further the kingdom of God.
Thanks for this great post. And in resonating with what you said at the end, a greater christian witness is not in the massive, state of the art, comfortable building that we build but our good deeds and let me add another, our good deed coupled by our love for each other.