It is difficult for Christians in America to avoid the temptations of power and money that are so characteristic of the culture. This often leads to a tension for well-meaning people who are honestly struggling to determine where "the line" is. How much stuff is too much stuff? How much money is too much money? How much home is too much home? What should power look like in a nation with an overabundance of power? What does it mean to be an authentic Christian in a culture that celebrates success in terms of power and money accumulated over the course of a lifetime? Most Christians in America wrestle with these issues, no matter what their own particular economic status is.
Oscar Romero offered some interesting insight on this subject. "Do you want to know if your Christianity is genuine? Here is the touchstone: Who do you get along with? Who are those who criticize you? Who are those who do not accept you? Who are those who flatter you? Know from what Christ said once, "I have not come to bring peace, but division." There will be division even in the same family, because some want to live more comfortably by the world's principles, those of power and money. But others have embraced the call of Christ and must reject all that cannot be just in the world."
The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ often runs counter to the message of the American dream, but many Christians in America go to great lengths to figure out how to somehow join the two worldviews together. It can't be done, and that's why American Christians spend so much time living in the tension of "the line." There is no line to straddle. A Christian can not have one foot in both worlds. Christians are set apart to follow Jesus, not to follow the world's principles of overindulgence in power and money. Beware of the Christian preacher or Christian financial guru who claims to have figured out the formula to the marriage of power and money with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prosperity doctrine is heresy.
2 comments:
Appreciating the Romero quote! I've met some people who worked with him, and learned so much about him since moving to El Salvador (he was, uh, kind of popular here..haha). So many of the things he said really stop me in my tracks, so thanks for including this thought.
Romero was an amazing man! He understood Christ's call to find life by giving ourselves away to others. "To each one of us Christ is saying: If you want your life and mission to be fruitful like mine, do as I. Be converted into seed that lets itself be buried. Let yourselves be killed. Do not be afraid. Those who shun suffering will remain alone. No one is more alone than the selfish. But if you give your life out of love for others, as I give mine for all, you will reap a great harvest. You will have the deepest satisfactions. Do not fear death or threats; the Lord goes with you." Within a year of saying those comments publicly, he was shot and killed while saying Mass in his chapel. Danielle, it must be amazing to talk to people who worked with him. Romero has inspired many people!
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