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July 16, 2007

They have so little, but...

Anyone who has spent time in Africa, and has an open heart, has probably said this, usually followed by "they are so generous with what they have", "they are so happy", or "they are rich spiritually".

(Try Googling the phrase "they have so little but" + "africa", and go and read the results.)

The starkness of this realisation is usually accompanied on the return to "home" in Europe or the States, with a sense of dislocation, and of the superficiality of our lives here. It is a constant theme I have heard many times, and yet after a short while, the impact passes as we re-adjust to the busy-ness of life, and it becomes but a poignant memory.

But what was going on there? Was God, in that moment, not giving us a glimpse of something? A hint that maybe life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions, or the success and security that we are striving after? That maybe with our wealth we are actually the under-developed nations of the world socially and spiritually? That by our single-minded pursuit of the goal of economic prosperity, we are destroying community, shutting out God, and reaping social breakdown, with its violence, immorality, isolation, and disfunctionality? That we cannot serve both God and money?

And maybe that God has chosen the poor - that they may be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom? (Ja 2:5)

And, if so, what shall we do about it? Is God maybe calling us to adjust our lifestyles? To swap material wealth for spiritual wealth? To exchange security for a life of faith? To pursue the good of others rather than just our own agenda?

What do you think?

Tags: africa wealth riches poverty faith christianity discipleship

Posted by Keith at July 16, 2007 12:13 PM