Radical, Chapter Six: How much is enough?

This was my favorite chapter so far in the book.  By far.  It was a really uncomfortable read.  It's not easy to be challenged on how much money we should live on and how much to give away.  If you're like me then you recoiled a few times.  But I believe that there is a place of freedom from the worries and cares of money.  Stick with me.

We all have blind spots.  Personality quirks and flaws, if you will.  I have a tendency to interrupt people.  Sometimes at work I try to do everything myself and inadvertently make my co-workers feel inadequate.  I'm so glad that I have friends in my life to point these things out to me.  Think of this chapter as a gentle uncovering of a blind spot in all of our lives, not a condemnation.

Caring for the poor is a serious matter to God.  It is all over the Bible.  Just like teachings on sexual purity and gossip, we cannot read them and pretend it does not apply to us.

Platt starts by comparing the blind spot of materialism in our culture today with slavery 200 years ago.  Professing Christians were able to pray, go to church and read the Bible all while justifying the mistreatment of thousands of human beings?  They felt they were being generous by providing slaves with an extra chicken at Christmas while they lived with abuse and desolate poverty the other 364 days of the year.  They lived as they wanted then gave their scraps to the poor and called it generosity.  Jesus addresses this in Luke 16, the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  The rich man gave his scraps to Lazarus and patted himself on the back for being generous.  His riches were a stumbling block to him, and he did not enter heaven.

Now, Platt is very clear on one thing: caring for the poor is not a mechanism of salvation.  However, it is a mark of those who have been redeemed and know the Father's Heart.  His heart is with the poor and broken.  In church today we studied Acts 4:32-37.  Our pastor pointed out that the early church's view of money and material possessions was a radical change from their cultural views of money.  In Jewish culture, money was viewed as a sign of God's blessing, and lack of money was viewed as God's displeasure.  On top of that, persecution was ramping up against them.  It was a time when fear could have led them to hoard all their resources and stop sharing with each other.  However, because they realized that God was their Father and he would take care of them just like loving earthly parents.  Because of this world view they understood that their status, security and comfort came from God, not money.

So where does this leave us?  Most of what fills our houses are considered luxuries, not necessities.  Are our possessions inherently bad?  NO.  But what if Jesus walked up to us today and asked us to sell all we have and give the money to the poor?  Could we obey Him?  What if He asked us to live on half our salary and give the rest to missions?  Could we make the necessary changes do accommodate this command?  Or are we more like the rich man in the Lazarus story or the slave owners from 200 years ago and giving our leftover scraps to the poor?  When I read this chapter, God spoke this to me: "you are the rich man, giving your scraps and not your best."  I believe that God is challenging us to live radically and be willing to trust that He will care for us when He commands us to care for the poor.

This is a hard area.  If you're like me, you're probably having anxiety when you consider giving up your luxuries.  Obedience in this area requires a change in the heart and an increase in faith.  It will look different for each of us.  Toward the end of the chapter, Platt poses this question: how much will it take?  Many people in the world have never heard the gospel of Christ.  We can help reach the world with all the resources God has blessed us with.  That is an amazing opportunity.

Like the rich man, our possessions will not help us once this life is over.  We cannot afford to let the love of our possessions keep us out of heaven.  That is why we must take this chapter seriously and allow God to convict us in order to experience true freedom. We have a heavenly Father who knows what we need and will care for us.

Now for the questions:  take a moment to pray before you answer.  I'm going to post my answers in the comment section below.

1.  What is your response to the challenge in this chapter to care for the poor?  How did God convict your heart to increase your giving to the poor through this chapter?

2.  Do you view God as your heavenly Father?  If so, how does this change your view of money?

3.  What luxury can you give up in order to give more to the kingdom of God?  I know this isn't easy, but I believe the result of the work of faith will far outweigh the momentary discomfort =]