Post by sarah on Mar 10, 2009 19:27:12 GMT -8
Hmmm, some interesting twists and turns in this comment line. I thought I would throw in my two cents as well.
I think one of our first responses as Christians is to intentionally shift our thinking about money. Now I know that most of us believers would agree that all our provision comes courtesy of God and he is ultimately both provider and proprietor. Where I think we all struggle is with the uncomfortable applications that this requires. If I am the piggy bank then he gets do decide how and when it is distributed.
I read a book a long while back that followed the life of a prophetic intercessor Reece Howell. (yeah, I know I just lost some of you!
) He was a man who truly followed the living by faith mentality. He practiced something he termed as, "first need, first claim". Basically he used the resources he had currently to meet the most current need, and trusted God to provide for the next need. There is a story where he was waiting in line at a train station to purchase a ticket for an out of town trip. Now he had no money but felt strongly that God was calling him to go. The line was long and slow and just a few people before the ticket window, the person in front of him turned around, shoved his money in his hand stating something to the effect of, I can't wait for this train any longer I have to go before rushing off. The man rushed off, and Reece purchased his ticket!
So how do I think this applies? I think as Christians we have to not only trust that God will meet our needs, but to be willing to follow his lead and generously share with those who are experiencing a more immediate need. I know in times like this the common reaction is to bunker down and try to save your money and hold onto every last penny. I also think that our cultural discomfort around being truly transparent about our financial lives makes it more difficult to identify where the needs and resources are. (I know this can sound a bit socialist, but it is kind of how that infamous part of Acts reads to me)
Now jumping back to the Charismatic roots in me. There is a principle called "opposite spirit" Which basically challenges us to respond in the opposite to the things that are intended to discourage, wound, or otherwise detract from the best that God has for us and others. In other words, when there is hatred respond with intentional love. When there is Jealousy, respond with transparency and trust.
Now on a community level I would challenge all of us to take the elements of this economic crisis and intentionally flip them around. Do something actively. Where there is poverty of resources, hope, and faith, respond with acts of abundant generosity. Address fear with peace in countenance and in your communication. I could go on, but I bet if you think about it you can come up with lots of your own as well!
I think one of our first responses as Christians is to intentionally shift our thinking about money. Now I know that most of us believers would agree that all our provision comes courtesy of God and he is ultimately both provider and proprietor. Where I think we all struggle is with the uncomfortable applications that this requires. If I am the piggy bank then he gets do decide how and when it is distributed.
I read a book a long while back that followed the life of a prophetic intercessor Reece Howell. (yeah, I know I just lost some of you!
) He was a man who truly followed the living by faith mentality. He practiced something he termed as, "first need, first claim". Basically he used the resources he had currently to meet the most current need, and trusted God to provide for the next need. There is a story where he was waiting in line at a train station to purchase a ticket for an out of town trip. Now he had no money but felt strongly that God was calling him to go. The line was long and slow and just a few people before the ticket window, the person in front of him turned around, shoved his money in his hand stating something to the effect of, I can't wait for this train any longer I have to go before rushing off. The man rushed off, and Reece purchased his ticket! So how do I think this applies? I think as Christians we have to not only trust that God will meet our needs, but to be willing to follow his lead and generously share with those who are experiencing a more immediate need. I know in times like this the common reaction is to bunker down and try to save your money and hold onto every last penny. I also think that our cultural discomfort around being truly transparent about our financial lives makes it more difficult to identify where the needs and resources are. (I know this can sound a bit socialist, but it is kind of how that infamous part of Acts reads to me)
Now jumping back to the Charismatic roots in me. There is a principle called "opposite spirit" Which basically challenges us to respond in the opposite to the things that are intended to discourage, wound, or otherwise detract from the best that God has for us and others. In other words, when there is hatred respond with intentional love. When there is Jealousy, respond with transparency and trust.
Now on a community level I would challenge all of us to take the elements of this economic crisis and intentionally flip them around. Do something actively. Where there is poverty of resources, hope, and faith, respond with acts of abundant generosity. Address fear with peace in countenance and in your communication. I could go on, but I bet if you think about it you can come up with lots of your own as well!
