My wife shared a story with me today that she heard at a presentation by psychologist and author Jeffrey Rubin. A certain zen master was robbed in his home. Since his possessions were few he removed all his clothes, and gave them to the robber. As the thief departed, the zen master noticed the beautiful full moon that was in the sky, and that the robber couldn't enjoy or even notice it, because he was consumed with his ill gotten game.
The greatest obstacle to a Believer's growth in Christ in America is America itself. This is an arrogant, self absorbed, materialistic culture. As if that weren't bad enough, we have created a bastardized, counterfeit ME-ology that celebrates rampant materialism and retched excess, in marked contrast to the teachings of the Gospel.
I do not believe one must take a vow of poverty to be an authentic Believer. But how many of us in America who claim Christ would be able to detatch ourselves from posessions as the zen master in the story did? As Jesus taught us? We are faced with a choice in this country: do we at last put Jesus on the throne of headship of our lives, or do we continue to submit ourselves to the sweet siren song of the false gospel of materialism and excess, and pay the mental, emotional and spiritual price?
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. -Luke 6:30 NIV
The greatest obstacle to a Believer's growth in Christ in America is America itself. This is an arrogant, self absorbed, materialistic culture. As if that weren't bad enough, we have created a bastardized, counterfeit ME-ology that celebrates rampant materialism and retched excess, in marked contrast to the teachings of the Gospel.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? -Mat. 6:26
I do not believe one must take a vow of poverty to be an authentic Believer. But how many of us in America who claim Christ would be able to detatch ourselves from posessions as the zen master in the story did? As Jesus taught us? We are faced with a choice in this country: do we at last put Jesus on the throne of headship of our lives, or do we continue to submit ourselves to the sweet siren song of the false gospel of materialism and excess, and pay the mental, emotional and spiritual price?
31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Mat. 6:31-33 NIV
As hard as these days are, it's an opportunity to turn away from the false gospel of 'prosperity' (read: materialism and retched excess) and back to the true spirituality of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. The church has so cluttered the message and meaning of Jesus with so much self-serving idolatry and sensationalism that it's driven many to look to other belief systems for spiritual fulfillment, when it's all right here in the Word! So many (myself included) have compromised themselves, shortchanged their callings, driven themselves into poor emotional and physical health, even death. All for that ellusive 'American Dream'.
"...It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:25 NIV
Hi. My name is Todd. And I'm an American dreamer. And I'm trying to wake up.
