Not My Job, Man.

“and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body; what use is that?” James 2:16

Necessary – God is in the distribution business.  He does not believe in accumulation for self-preservation.  He does not work for surplus.  He is not interested in deferred compensation or stock options.  God is all about passing from one hand to another.  And He’s quite serious about it.

This is a very hard lesson to learn.  He took me to task on it some time ago, reminding me that my accumulation strategy, my need for self-sufficiency, was a violation of one of the basic principles of the divine economy.  James said is quite eloquently.  If you do not take care of the necessities of those whom God brings across your path, your claims of “faith” are a sham.  Ta epitedeia, “the things that serve”, becomes the external measure of trusting obedience.  How?  Because if I really value what God values, I will act according to His good graces, not according to my current accounting balance sheet.  I will trust that when I express His heart in my care of others, He is honored and He will honor me for the effort.

Let’s dispel some horrible spiritual myths.  I do not give in order to get.  Any suggestion that my giving compels God to replace or increase what I have is nothing more than spiritual blackmail.  It is degrading to His character.  On the other hand, for me to claim that I cannot give because I don’t have enough is just as misguided.  Who is responsible for what I have?  Me?  Not according to the Bible.  I give because I wish to express His heart and for no other reason.  I give confidently because my God is no miser and He smiles on compassion.

Now comes the hard part.  Western Christianity, especially American Christianity, has gorged itself on accumulation.  Multi-million dollar buildings but no money for the homeless nine blocks away.  Thousands for new video and sound equipment but not enough in the budget for the “sinner” who needs food.  And let’s not forget our personal stake in wealth accumulation.  My friend struggles to live obediently while he loses his home because you and I can’t imagine not having 200 channels to watch or that new jet ski or that vacation to Hawaii.  My funds are exhausted in investment accounts, retirement funds, a rental condo and more “necessities”.  And it’s not the fact that a child dies every 14 seconds because we couldn’t spare 2 cents for a meal.  It’s the fact that right now in my own circle I am called to become the Samaritan and give to my friend in need just because he is in need.  But too often I look for an excuse instead of an opportunity.

How many will you have to pass by before you become the one in the ditch?  To see the world from the eyes of someone in need is to finally understand the spiritual meaning of money.