Can a Christian own a …Hummer?
 

Let’s consider probably the most quoted verse on Wealth:

Mark 10:25- “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”

What do you think about this verse? How literal should we take it? What was God trying to say here?

I have seen poverty. San Felipe, Mexico is a good example. I have seen pictures of it even worse in African villages. I have heard missionary stories. And often the emotion that comes to mind when I see or hear such things is: GUILT

Should Christians feel guilty for living in affluent lifestyles while SO many live in dire straits?
Surely there must be SOMETHING sinful about Christians buying lots and lots of “stuff” while ignoring people whose basic needs go unmet! Isn’t there????

****What about the words of I John 3:17-18 (read)
What do you think is being talked about here?

In 1987, a popular evangelist gave a now famous talk called “Can a Christian Own a BMW?” (maybe today we should ask about a HUMMER??)
He made these remarks:
“Christians are people who do what Jesus would do if he were here on earth today and facing their choices and/or options. If Jesus lived in this culture, like each of us he would have to have a car. But, if he had an extra $40 thousand in his hand I do not think he would spend it al on a luxury car, knowing that people in some Third World countries were starving to death. I contend he would buy something simple and reliable, but reasonably priced and then find some way to use the rest of the money to help those needy people!”

He was met with much applause but also much opposition.

What do you think about his statements? How do they make you feel?
Why would anyone oppose this way of thinking?

I recently read an article that talked about what is now called “Conspicuous Consumption”. Basically it says we buy certain items more to make a statement about who we think we are than to fill a real need or even want! We are manipulated into creating artificial wants while ignoring NEEDS of the world.

I believe there is some merit to that concept. And I think we are all guilty. It may not be a Hummer, but it is something. So here is the question: WHAT IS YOUR BMW?

So where do we draw the line as Christians? What kind of car can we buy? Does all our shopping need to occur at Goodwill? What do you think is the answer to this?

Are we more driven by God’s spirit (see Romans 8:14) or by clever advertising??
Does being a Christian mean having a Christ like spending habit? What would that look like?

This is a hard topic. I fall right there with a lot this. Yeah, I want a better car. I want an IPOD. I want that rocking stereo system! What do I do????????? There is a balance, somewhere, but finding it is SO tricky!

I think of a slogan I have read “he who dies with the most toys wins”.
To me…THAT is sinful.

(recently in a Christian bookstore I saw a retort to that saying “He who dies with the most toys still dies!)

Many will take these things we have discussed and say that God is some killjoy and doesn’t want us to have ANY fun!
What do you think about this? I say it is false!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s read Deut. 14:22-27

This is a verse about another controversial subject: TITHING. What is being discussed here? What is Moses saying this money should be spent on? It sounds to me like his instructions are for how much of our wealth we should be using on a party, rather than donations, ambivalence etc….. WEIRD?!?!?!?!?!?

Moses told them to ring their tithes and use it at the feast! Have a blow out man! That’s what it sounds like. What do you think? It could be likened to our 4th of July celebrations I guess???

I think maybe a reason for this celebration was to give these folks a small foretaste of what Heaven would be like. It would be a celebration…a party!!!!! They could say “You think this thing rocks…wait til heaven dude!”

I think it was evidence of the kind oaf God we serve…not a killjoy or party pooper at all. In fact, the life he designed is the exact opposite!!! Maybe I am wrong totally. But this example of tithing seems to have little to do with charity! And this is just to drive a picture home here, but it causes one to think.

Maybe the rest is a true test. If we are filled with the love of God, what will we do with the rest if our blessings? What about the other 9/10ths? Will we spend it with scrutiny? Will we use it to bless others?? Will we help the poor???

Who should be the guests at our parties and celebrations??

Read Matt 22:8-10

Who knows how to deal with wealth? The Bible has over 600 references to money and its’ uses. God apparently finds it important! In James alone, 1 of 5 verses deals with this. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus seems to make our responses to the poor and needy a standard by which we will be evaluated.

The last scripture we will look at may be perhaps the most significant in dealing with how we are to deal with our wealth. Let’s read Mark 10:17-22

I believe wealth is good. I believe that money is a needed to get things done in this world. I believe that the production of wealth is important. John Wesley said “work as hard as you can, to make all the money you can, and spend as little as you can in order to give away all that you can.”

How will you deal with earthly gain? What are your final thoughts?

It is not a sin to make a million dollars. But I think it could just be one to not use it as Jesus would! In ALL we do, we should be striving to be more Christ like!


“Brothers I do not consider myself to yet have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” -Phil. 3:13-14