Imagine a wise man stands before you and tells you that he can offer life to the fullest. But there are conditions.
You are very rich. You have a car, a cozy house, a flat screen TV, a laptop, a cellphone, a guitar and amp, a comfy bed, lots of books, and many other things. But this man tells you that life means getting rid of these things–all of them, because with all these things comes the fear of losing them. And with the fear of losing what you have comes the need to protect what you have. With the need to protect what you have comes the often times violent defense of what is “yours”–the things you own.
This wise man tells you, in fact whispers in an ancient yet still progressive tongue, that these things, these possessions, have actually led you to death. And to enter into the kingdom of life you must first give all your possessions away. He says you must learn to depend on the one who offers freedom, and he says that what the world calls progress, the American dream, the rags to riches ideal, corner office with a window all lead to bondage rather than freedom. He says that freedom is not a gift that any man or product can offer–not even the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth can truly claim to offer genuine freedom. Their freedom can do nothing to the chains that bind your mind and soul.
So then; what to do? Do you do as he says and give up everything–every last thing that demands your worship and attention?
I’m hearing that whisper right now. I hear it every day, but I don’t know exactly what to make of it. But I also cannot deny its persistent knocking on my soul. What to do, Jeff?
3 responses so far ↓
Scott // February 11, 2009 at 8:22 pm |
Jeff, I really appreciate this post. I read it earlier in the week, but then I was just preparing to talk to our students tonight and I remembered it and came back to it. We’re talking about the deadly sin of greed and you’ve summed it up pretty well. More possessions = less dependence (and conversely more independence). Independence does not = freedom because it depends on external stuff. In other words, independence in terms of possessions and wordly needs = bondage.
I find this increasingly hard as the provider for our family. I really want to provide for our family in a way that we are independent, yet I want to teach our girls to be dependent on God. Those two don’t really align well.
Thanks for the post.
Scott
Mary // February 14, 2009 at 8:19 pm |
Give it all up. Give up anything that demands attention or worship that is not in direct line with the will of God for you.
Please write, I’d love to know more about what you are thinking.
jlitsey // February 16, 2009 at 8:16 am |
Scotty, Mary, thanks for the responses. I really appreciate the feedback. This is such a difficult thing to figure out, and I’m sure I’ll never figure it out (if I did, I guess that would make me God).
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about people like Mother Teresa, Gandhi, St. Francis, etc; people who literally gave up everything and took vows of “earhtly” poverty. And for some reason this is calling to me, this life of poverty. I don’t know if it’s something just to try out or if it’s something that I’m supposed to do for the rest of my life. At the very least I know that I’m supposed to give up a lot and simplify big time. I just wonder where to start and how to start sometimes, but I know that the Father will provide direction. I’m not always patient though, unfortunately. What are your thoughts?