I was thinking today. I am a blessed man. I don’t often do a great job of remembering it, but I am blessed – and it has nothing to do with me.
I didn’t choose where or when I was born. I didn’t choose my parents. I didn’t choose which opportunities I would be given – only those I would take.
And really, I didn’t choose God or the life he’s given me. While I responded to him, he chose me. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
How have you been blessed?
The uneven distribution of wealth – resource, money, power, intellect, talent – is an opportunity. An opportunity much greater than the sum total of our resources.
Obviously, as with every opportunity we’re given, we have the option of how to use, misuse, or fail to use it. Resources can be increased, improved upon, traded, ignored, squandered, and given away and God has a plan for us in this, too.
Let’s consider for a moment the options of a man with $100 in his pocket. Just having that money creates options for him that he would not otherwise have. He can buy $100 of candy. He can keep the $100 in his pocket. He can put it in a savings account. He can lend it to somebody else. He can give it to someone in need. Or nearly any combination of the options above and many we haven’t reviewed.
In the same manner, lets consider the person with average musical talent. That person, with practice, time, opportunity, and guidance can improve that talent until it is a bona-fide skill. And then that skill, built on talent, can be used to improve the lives of others, be traded for livelihood, or simply bring joy.
So, then, if we are wealthy in one way or another what is the purpose of our wealth? What is the opportunity? Continue reading
The purpose of wealth is influence rather than affluence. Charity rather than impression. Service rather than indulgence or personal increase.
The misuse and abuse of wealth is epidemic across the earth. In a world where thousands daily die for lack of water while others work to simply make their own lives easier we have clearly misunderstood wealth and its purpose. We have both lost sight of what constitutes wealth and have little, if any, perspective on how wealthy we really are.
We are wealthy. As USAmericans, we are a wealthy nation. And as believers in Jesus, we must both shift our perspective on what is wealth, take responsibility for what we have been given, and use our wealth to accomplish the purposes of the Kingdom of God.
We seem to believe that wealth is “just a little bit more” than what we have. That those who are wealthy beyond our imagination are the only people who are wealthy. But wealth is simply having more than we need. Continue reading
What’s on your bucket list?
Looking for a way to do some good? Want to be a social change agent? Check out the charity: water upcoming Twestival.
Right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us.
charity: water is looking for your help to spread the word about their work and their Twestival. You can help by attending the Twestival, Tweeting, blogging, connecting on Twitter, and donating money.
Never heard of it? Well that’s because this is the first Twestival ever. But before we get into the Twestival, let’s talk a little bit about charity: water.
charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We give 100% of the money raised to direct project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person in a developing nation clean water for 20 years.
charity: water builds wells in some of the most water-deprived areas of the world. The wells they dig provide villages and regions with clean water
Stop by charity: water for more information about why they are and what they’re about. Check out Twestival. Then connect on Twitter and go to town meeting people, spreading the word, and supporting a good work.
A simple philosophy, simply lived, will lead you to a simple life.
A few months ago, I wrote about how it seems like we so often search out or create complex ideas and philosophies so that we can have the simplicity we so deeply need. It’s as though we think it’s complex to be simple. We go searching for “hidden truths” and “little-known secrets” to achieve what we think we want – really, what we’ve been told we should want.
I ran across a great article yesterday: 7 Steps for Achieving a Super Simple Life. You should definitely check it out. I think that blogger Joy captured the heart of how to have simplicity in life with her seventh step:
7. Simplify Your Philosophy
Adopting a simple lifestyle can require a shift in thinking. It requires you to accept that what you have is “enough”, learn to let go of the need to be a superachiever, live in the moment, find simple pleasures, and define your identity by reflection rather than by consumerism.
Really, that’s about it. Don’t let the marketing machine that was created for no other reason than to manipulate your desires for pride, greed, power, and lust to make you invest your very life into the things that lead to death. Don’t buy into it. There is a better way. A higher way!
Spend some time in the Bible, in prayer, and in worship. Allow God to define who you are and how you are perceived. And then live that.
It’s not necessarily easy. But it’s simple. It’s singular. In Christ it’s possible.
Holy Father, in your mercy, grant that we might be filled with your Word and the knowledge of your grace and that the world be filled with your glory as we, quickened and empowered by the Holy Spirit, are conformed to the life of Jesus, knowing him in his power, obedience, service, and suffering.
Most High God, Creator of all, grant that we, who by the sacrifice of Jesus and the power of your Holy Spirit are called by your Name, might have eyes to see and perceive, minds to understand, hearts to move with compassion, hands to serve, and feet to go where you direct so that those who are estranged may be reconciled, those who are broken and sick may be comforted, and those who are hungry may be fed for the glory of your Name and the advancement of your Kingdom.
