On Prosperity vs Poverty
We want to be more and more like God, so we need to understand God's character. Do you know that God cares for the poor and marginalised in society? In the Old Testament this theme is repeated among the prophets e.g. Amos, Isaiah and Jeremiah all address this issue. Most people think that the issues that the prophets were addressing were mainly idolatry. But the prophets covered both. God was displeased with both the worship of idols and also the oppression of the poor and marginalised.
Does God really care? (Read Ron Sider's Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger)
Let's take a look at these verses:
3 This is what the Lord says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Don't exploit or brutalize the alien, the fatherless, or the widow. Don't shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you conscientiously carry out this word, then kings sitting on David's throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses-they, their officers, and their people. 5 But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself"-[this is] the Lord's declaration-"that this house will become a ruin."
Jeremiah 22:3-5
Why would God destroy the house of Israel? It is not only due to idolatry, but also because of oppressive systems. (Jer 22:13-17)Why did God destroy Sodom? Part of the reason was also oppression. (Isaiah 3:9-15)
Furthermore, God's commandments also cater for the poor such as the year of Jubilee to free slaves and the 7th year Sabbath of the land for the poor to eat. (Ex 23:10-11). He also commanded the Israelites not to charge interests and also not to have slaves. If you open up your heart to read the bible in this perspective, you will realise that it really does cover a lot of social justice and poverty.
In the New Testament, God's laws are applied in our hearts. Hence we may not practice the year of Jubilee any more, but the concept remains of caring for the poor, and having a desire to see social justice done. Most people don't take these readings too seriously as they feel that they are still living decently and are not oppressing people. When people speak of oppression, we have images of a wicked landlord with a moustache, pot belly and an evil grin; images of slaves with their sweaty bodies pulling carts and doing manual labour etc and not getting paid. But in the New Testament, the same theme runs through. Jesus gave some analogies on how we should treat the poor. He was not just talking about the oppressors (i.e. landlords), but I believe that the concepts He was talking about can be applicable to us (relatively rich Christians) today. He was talking about the rich who saw people who were hungry, thirsty, naked, sick etc but didn't bother to help them.
41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' 45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:43-46 19 "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell F112 from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
Luke16-19-25
There is no doubt that God is abundant in riches, the earth is the Lord's and all its riches. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. He is God of abundance. And He says that as we give to Him, good measure shaken together running over He will give back to us. Many times we play for blessings so that we can be "blessed to be a blessing". We must really be careful that we are good stewards of God's money. Indeed as we are blessed, we use the money that He blesses us with for His kingdom. I believe that we should all evaluate our lifestyles, whether there are certain expenses we can do without, or the latest fashion/ tech that we are chasing. Do we need these things in perspective of heaven? The truth is there is an opportunity cost for every decision we make with our money.Many of us enjoy life on earth too much that we are reluctant to go to heaven. Paul says in Galatians, to live is Christ, to die is life. He would rather go to heaven than stay here on earth. We must remember that many of the things we do here on earth are not eternal. They are merely preparation for heaven. If not, we will be looking for our rewards on earth rather than looking to the real treasures in heaven.
This is why I don't agree with the statement that as we know Christ more, we will not be poor forever. Not that I doubt God's abundance or His provision or His blessings. I have experienced that in my life for many times, especially with regards to the high salary I am getting now. But I also believe that God's promises will only be partially fulfilled here on earth. Hebrews 11 speaks of biblical heroes like Abraham who have not seen their promise being fulfilled in their lifetime, but yet that is what faith is-it is looking to God even when circumstances are opposite of His promises. The greatest news we can give to the poor is not that they will not be poor any more. The greatest news we can give them is that they may be poor here on earth but they will be rich in heaven, and that they must look to their eternal reward. I believe in helping the poor, I believe God calls us to bless them and give them hope, and here on earth, they can experience God's love. It is stupid to give an iffy concept of God's love when we don't show it with our actions, but people feel loved when their needs I met. So if I were to preach to the poor, I would demonstrate God's love by meeting their needs. I will pray for them and believe with them and give them capital and empower them to start their own business etc, because I believe in empowering the poor, in giving them hope and telling them that they can succeed in life as well too. But yet the world is fallen, and Abraham himself didn’t see God's promise being fulfilled on earth! Hence I would emphasise that they have an eternal reward that is much more important than their life here on earth.
When we tell the poor that they can be successful and be high achievers in life, how do we define success and does that equate being a high achiever? Does success equals to having lots of money, having a 5K salary and being able to drive a fancy car? Or does success mean something else in God's eyes? Are we conforming to the world's standard of success by preaching too much on being a high achiever and living a prosperous life? Romans 12 tell us not to be conformed to this world. I speak as a person from a relatively above average income family, hence I have no problems with my meals, clothes and accommodation etc. I don't wish to undermine how the poor feels. I don't wish to be philosophical and preach lofty ideas of going without food and just believing God for eternity. That's why I believe in demonstrating love through actions of giving food and money, but I think the church should challenge the mindset of the world, instead of conforming to the world's definition of success. In fact the poor need comfort that God's perspective of success is different and they would be comforted when they live in a community where there is sharing (church of Acts) as a demonstration of God's unconditional love
I believe in marketplace evangelism, that the environment we are in is our mission’s field. I am also inspired by characters like Daniel, Esther and Joseph who attained a high standing in their society and who were able to impact many lives. I have all along been blessed in my life in terms of studies and work, and I desire to impact society and that people will look at my life and see Christ in me. But all that must surely be balanced with eternity and obedience to Christ. The question is the motive. The greatest test of all is this question we ask ourselves, if we do become a high achiever and one day God calls us to give our all to Him, will we be willing? And also, how much percent of the blessings would we use to bless the poor and how much would we store up for ourselves, for our insatiable diet of gourmet, fashion and tech? And remember, we will not all end up being high achievers as I believe that being successful is merely a means to an end and not an end in itself. The chief end is that we may fulfil His calling and be part of building His kingdom on earth. And through what route would that be achieved? Who knows, maybe instead of being high achievers, we will go through much sufferings in our lives (yes God told us there will be trials and tribulations) and glorify God through our suffering. If only we would lay down our lives for each other, and then we truly glorify God through our love for each other, by living lives that are different from the world.
