What Do You Think?
I’m reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Do NOT be deceived by this title; this is not fluffy Christian-positive-thinking-affirmation type stuff. Chan’s words are challenging, sometimes nearly offensive. And it really has me thinking.
As an example of the kind of challenge Francis Chan is throwing out to the Christian community, here is a question – accompanied by a video of his wife with an abandoned baby in Uganda – he posed on his own vlog:
why is my life more valuable than this baby’s? Someone asked me recently why I don’t save money for emergencies, or retirement. My answer was how can I justify saving for myself “just in case” something happens to me when something IS happening to so many already. 29,000 kids will die today of preventable causes. If I’m to love my neighbor AS myself, why spend so much time worrying about me?
What do you think?
I think his point is well-taken and thought provoking. However I also think those of us who have the ability to prepare for an emergency should probably do so.Otherwise, we risk becoming another person the world needs to bail out when we have a crisis.
Right! I was thinking along those lines as well. Also, isn’t it possible that some people are given as gifts to the church for the way they push us toward thoughts we might never have on our own? For example, an evangelist reminds us to share our faith. We might not do it in the same way, but his example inspires us to do more than we would do without his nudging. Gary Thomas would definitely categorize Chan as an activist, and one of the roles of the activist is to inspire action out of the rest of us who might have different callings. We might not move to Africa, but we COULD send support money once a month.
The thing I despise most in my life is my debt. The money I have saved for an emergency (or tied up in a pretty house or nice car) can theoretically be reallocated to people like that baby at any time. But the debt I have keeps me truly useless to them. That’s the part that I want to change the most.
Agreed. Debt is such a waste and definitely a joy stealer. Good place to start.
I’ve never heard a better reason to get out of debt!
I listened to a few chapters of his online book and have to say, his questions are indeed thought-provoking!
It seems as though there is a world-wide initiative challenging us to get out of our comfort zones and make a difference! I find myself not only wanting to give monetarily, but to “go” and “do” things that hold eternal value to them.
Yeah, I think all things in moderation. God tells us to give generously, but I don’t think he advocates (at any point in the Bible) being imprudent with your money.
Give till it hurts. Be a good steward of your finances. I think these concepts can go hand in hand and are not mutually exclusive.
Thought provoking topic!
Save for a rainy day and give as you are able but be smart about it. Not every sick or needy child was meant for you to save. Here is how we learned this lesson:
When we found out our son’s birthmother was pregnant a second time, we had just received our daughter from another birthmother. The first girl wanted us to parent her second child as well. We wrestled with it, prayed, cried, talked about it. However, financially, we could not do it. We knew we could provide a good life for 2 children but not 3. A couple with 7 adopted children told us we are not called to raise every child. Only the ones God has for us. (And yes, you do know which child is yours.)
It’s great to want to help every orphan and urchin but at some point, you have to take care of you so you CAN help all the orphans and urchins you are able to.
To the commentator above remember that Jesus loves you!