 |
|
|
by Susan
|
|
"Alternative Economics"
In July of this year, the unemployment rate was 9.4%. Economic recessions
certainly shake our confidence in what we believe is stable. Recessions
push us to consider new ways of living-new ways of conserving resources and
stretching dollars to make the proverbial ends meet. These considerations
might also raise some questions: What ends are we trying to meet? Our
own? Whose resources are we conserving? Our own? Perhaps in
God's eyes, a recession should push us to consider new ways of giving
more. If that is the case, now might be a really good time for such a
consideration.
Consider the case of
Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit,
Michigan. This truly
multi-racial church is smack dab in the middle of some intense conditions
including drugs, prostitution, joblessness, and homelessness. Yet, this
church-not swimming in a pool of money itself-does some pretty mighty things
for the community. They've partnered with Fireproof Ministries to give
away a house. They set up camp, quite
literally, in front of crack houses to minister to those coming and going. I recently heard their pastor, Harvey Carey, speak at a The Leadership Summit
and he was very clear about one thing: learn
how to take a little and make much. And that the church is only
6 years old? And that their pastor was asked to speak to a crowd of more
than 100,000 people about what his church is doing to reach his
community? This isn't a church community with overly complicated plans
about meeting needs. This is a church community that, in the face of
recession, simply looked around for what they could give more of and prayed
about finding even more to give than they could readily see. Citadel
isn't focused on the dollars but instead on lives.
I was recently reminded of the story of the poor widow told in Mark 12:41-43. She gave not quite a penny,
but what she gave was literally, as Jesus told those listening, "all she
had to live on." Wow! There's never been a time in my life
where I've given all I had to live on--that I put in everything I had.
This is probably motivated more by thinking that I don't have much to give than
not wanting to give. In essence, I can't give out of my abundance because
there is no abundance. Yet, this line of thinking doesn't come close to
lining up with Jesus' thoughts about giving. He was quite displeased with
those who were giving out of their abundance because they seemingly did so for
pious reasons. For clarification's sake, if you are swimming in a pool of
cash, it's okay to give out of your abundance! Jesus just wants you to
give with a willing spirit, a spirit that says, "All I have to live on is you
and not this cash." He is far more concerned with the condition of our
hearts as we give than with what we give. In short, the widow's penny was
worth exponentially more in God's economy than the large sums of money given by
the rich people because her focus was on God and not on how large the gift was
or was not.
Nothing I've written here is revolutionary. What would be revolutionary
is if ALL of the people of God rose up and decided to give more and to keep giving-recession
or no recession. I would encourage us all to find opportunities to give
not only to those inside the walls of our churches, but also to be purposeful
about giving to those who aren't looking for Jesus to show up.
Let's live by what Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw call "alternative
economics." Here's their exhortation: "So we are convinced that
God didn't mess up and either make too many people or not enough stuff to go
around. We believe in an economy of abundance, a theology of enough."
Here are some practical
ways we can live out alternative economics:
-
Volunteer at a food bank in your community (and
bring a long a couple of extra canned goods with you!). Here's one site you can use to locate a food
bank: Feeding America. Also, consider serving at your local Meals on Wheels chapter.
-
Buy school supplies for those in need (power in
numbers-recruit some friends to chip in).
Get a supply list from your local school and ask them how to go about
donating. You'd be surprised what $5
can get you during back-to-school sale season.
Also, look for bargains after school starts.
-
Cook or buy a meal for a family in your
neighborhood. If need be, pool your
resources with some other folks to make it happen. Check out Angel Food Ministries.
-
Call and arrange a time to hang out with someone
who you've been meaning to connect with for longer than you'd care to admit.
-
Recessions can heighten depression. Consider volunteering for a Suicide Prevention Hotline.
-
Actively look for opportunities to serve others
as you go throughout your day. Pay
attention to needs and ask God how you might meet the need. Be alert!
|
|
|
Just in case...
Perhaps you are familiar
with the wonderful kitchen appliance known as the George Foreman Grill? I
know someone who flips their burgers when making them using the grill.
One of the selling points of the grill is that you don't have to flip the
food--it cooks it from the top and the bottom. When I told the person
that they didn't have to flip the burgers, they replied, "I'll flip them
just in case..."
It got me to thinking about the
kinds of things I do "just in case" the directions can't be
trusted. I suppose there are some situations where this comes in handy,
but it definitely isn't needed with God. I don't have to do more "just in
case" He doesn't love me enough at the end of the day. I don't have to
help out the poor "just in case" His favor doesn't fall on me. I don't
have to pray more "just in case" He decides He just plain doesn't like me
anymore.
When God says He loves me with an everlasting love, He doesn't say it with a
hidden "just in case" set of directions. Jesus didn't
walk every step to the cross with a "just in case" idea in mind for
God's people. He wasn't thinking: "Well, if this crucifixion
and resurrection thing doesn't quite work out, they can do XYZ to secure a
relationship with the Heavenly Father."
Nope. No XYZ action needed. No "just in case" plans
needed to be made.
Note to self: Now's a good time to stop flipping the burgers
.
|
|
|
Catch a glimpse of the defiant joy moments of Susan's life by
reading her Journal the Joy blog.
|
|
|
Have a listen to a Defiant Joy Message.
Featured Message
What is this Amazing Grace?
[Crossroads Presbyterian Church's Women's Retreat, April 25, 2009]
Amazing grace! Have you ever wondered what grace is all about? For
most, it's not an easy word to explain. The love that God lavishes upon us
flows from the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus' triumph over the cross
enables us to stand in the light of His grace-a light that shows us the
way out of darkness. Through practical biblical teaching, you'll learn
about what grace means in your everyday life and how to lay down
condemnation in exchange for the richness of life in Christ.
Want to hear a Defiant Joy message?
Cruise on over to the Hear the Joy page and check out the messages.
|
|
|
Women's One Day Conference
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
NEW DATE: November 14, 2009
[stay tune for more details]
2010 Crossroads Women's Retreat
Time and Location TBA
|
|
|
 Schedule an Event
Are you or someone you know looking for a speaker for a 2009/2010 event?
Check out the topics page to learn more about available presentations. Any of these presentations can be adapted to fit your group's needs and time requirements. Does your group need a specific topic
addressed?
Feel free to contact Susan with your request.
|
|
|
|
|
|
With Defiant Joy,
Susan
Susan M. Ward, Ph.D.
Founder | Defiant Joy Ministries
susan@defiantjoyministries.com
If you would like to receive occasional mailings delivered the old-fashioned way to your door step from Defiant Joy,
please take a moment to add your address information to our database.
You can do so by clicking on the Confirm link located at the very top
of the eNewsletter and then entering the e-mail address you use to
receive the eNewsletter. Just follow the directions on the screen.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
