HCLM BLOG

I think we do need to have a concern for others. I think I would be proud to live in a country where we raised everyone's standard of living. But I think it's only possible when we live within our means. We are all going to have to make adjustments. You are right -we are probably asking for help primarily to get what we want. Hmm....

I agree that we need to have a concern for others. But it gets harder and harder to take care of others when you have less and less. Maybe what we really need is to find contentment with what we have and stop wanting more and more. And with the Apostle Paul be content with whatever we have.

Thank you Paul for your thoughts

Naming capitalism as an economic system of choice would also reflects who I have been and still am. Ever since my second year of college I have had the privilege of working as a manager, leader, executive, years of board leadership in the community and church, and for many years enjoyed a six figure salary.

Today, due to some choices I wish we could remake, than the economic situation that magnified the outcome of the choices may thousands of times, I find myself living on the non management side of the capitalism system. Only having punched a time clock for a few part time jobs during college, now I find myself punching the clock for near to minimum wage.

Over the past few months I too have reflected on how we have and are reflecting Jesus’ teaching in our capitalist society. Maybe more, how do I keep my eye on God’s dream for the whole of creation? In light of our current situation, a temptation is to only focus on what “I” need to do to take care of me. Then I ask myself, has this been the root of what has and is happing causing the current economic situation?

Robert K. Greenleaf’s writing on servant leadership continues to give me much to think about. Two of the quotes that I find very intriguing;

“Caring for persons, the more able and less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built.”

Then his definition of servant leadership, “… do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, became healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?”

Maybe in our questioning, we will find an answer.

Your article strikes a chord with me because I have been thinking and mulling over the idea of "excess" for several weeks now...it's everywhere. When will we decide enough is enough? It starts with each and everyone of us and the things we tell ourselves about what we deserve, racking up credit card debt, and living the "high life" in search of things that make us "happy" - I'd liken it to being drug-dependent and looking for the next "fix." Then on a larger scale, we collectively elect people (or let other's elect them) to serve in public office, and then these so-called public servants tell themselves what they deserve and so it goes! Imagine voting yourself an annuual raise like Congress has done for years? Don't forget they do this right after they've been "bought" by some high-paid lobbyist to sway an important vote in one direction or another! We pay for it in every sense of the word.

What are we doing about it? Nothing. We allow it. We accept it. The athletes, Hollywood stars, the rich, and government officials have all been created and perpetuated the divide between the "haves" and the "have nots" for years, and we have stupidly bought into it! We pay $30 for movies and popcorn, or $50 to watch a pro-ball game in person, and we buy their CD's and logo T-shirts. We keep telling them they are special and deserving of it. In Washington, without term limits, we allow the old stodgers to stay in power and do what they've always done and keep everything the same. It won't change unless WE change it.

We've got to face the facts. Everyday, we wake up to 24-hr air-conditioned comfort, running clean water, indoor toilets, good food in abundance, 100+ channels of entertainment at our fingertips, paved streets, good schools, adequate forms of transportation, coffee on every corner, and yet we continue to complain about NOT having ENOUGH!! We should all be forced to go on a mission trip and see what the rest of the world faces every day. That'll open our eyes.

We have MORE than enough - we just have LESS SENSE about how we spend it. We have less sense because we started thinking WE did it and WE earned it, and that belongs to US, it is OURS to spend and not God's. I think the Devil has been having fun with this one for way too long. We ate that apple down to the core.

We earned it, alright. We deserve this downturn. We deserve to be forced to step back and see what we've become - selfish little greedy whiners. I'm all for getting compensated for hard work and engenuity, but I would agree with the man you quoted that no one is worth $1,000,000 a year. If we could all be satisfied with less for ourselves and want more for others, we would ALL have more...peace, love, and blessings abounding. If we could live like Christ and serve Him first and others second, we could turn this thing around! I'll keep on praying for that.

"You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."

Thanks for letting me rant.

What a great comment Val. We ate the apple down to the core. Great point.

Many christians think that our system of capitolism is broken. Not true. It works perfectly! It's the 99% of the population that doesn't understand what the system is used for, who runs the system, and why it is drastically changing. The have nots always complain about a sports figure not worth $1 mil / yr. I know who I am and will tell you that I'm worth a whole lot more than $1mil/ yr. I will also tell anyone who is open minded that each and every soul in this coutry is worth at least 33.5 billion digits via the Social Security trust that you are a beneficiary of. Notice I said digits, not money. Big difference. "Accept for value and return for value for peaceful settlement and closure".Does not this statement reflect the true essence of the crucifiction? Was not everything PAID for? Understand the REDEMTION system, and you are financially free.Jesus died not only to save us from sin, but from every challenge we face in life, which includes being financially free.This current economic down turn was by design.Does the population deserve it? Yes and no. No,you should not have to suffer from the corrupt politicians and bankers who run the system, and YES to finally seek the true answers to your lifes freedom. The answers are in front of everyone ( ie the Bible) who has a very very deep faith in who they are, how they walk WITHIN the sovereignty of our Creator and are willing to study and dispel all of the old myths that permeate our society AND the christian church 501 C3 corporation structure. All christians, right now, are living in one of the most important times of mankind.The new era has already begun! Some of us will be leaders, most will be followers until they shed their fear of not knowing who they really are.The era of spirtual ascension is upon each and every christian, and the world at large as the past 3 millenium of man's Adamic nature which was crucified on the cross with Jesus is finally being recognized. Turn off your televisions from all the filtered propaganda that intentionally causes chaos that keeps you in the BOX, and a slave to man's system. As each living man, woman and child comes out of Egypt on their own, which is biblical,
then and only then will will you see HIS truth, and in turn will act accordingly. But let me caution you, for when the truth is upon your spirit and soul, you will not be able to turn back and view the current everyday system that one lives in now.I'm debt and spirtually free,as is my family.Take the journey, the addmission has already been paid for everyone.May everyone who reads this blog, be a instrument of God's great abundance and love!

it would be a lot simpler if cars could change your life, wouldn't it?

I started a book, then left it on a bus in Africa, that had this as its main premise. It was called "The Private Adam" by a Rabbi named Shmuley Boteach. Shmuley says that Jacob was the father of Israel, even before Abraham or Isaac, because he struggled and God calls us to struggle to do the right thing. Dying to self is not easy, but it's what makes a hero.

I think there is a cultural shift to "service" happening and it is exciting. As Christians, we know it is best to have the reason for service be living a life pleasing to Christ. But the fruits of all types of service (even things like an Extreme Home Makeover) are exciting and inspiring to see. Yes, we must die to ourselves in order to serve others - do things that are not glorious or fun - but it is certainly still a satisfying and rewarding undertaking. A Win-Win for all involved.

I like that asking for a name was part of your prayer. sweet.

so exciting!

wow, this is really sad to me. Come on, Pastors!

I hope you are actually going to say more later.