Why aren't American Christians feeding the homeless, housing the widow in their spare rooms, or flocking to adoption agencies to welcome orphans into their families? Because there are a million arguments NOT to do it. Why would they want to do anything that could put their American Dream at risk?
While most people may not give an answer quite that frank if asked, I cannot come up with any other explanation. As an American Christian myself, I can tell you that this has been my attitude, even if only subconsciously in some cases. While I give a considerable percent of my income to the church (who in turn supports missions) and to other charitable organizations, I've invested very little of my LIFE "[looking] after orphans and widows in their distress." (James 1:27) I can provide you with all types of rational explanations for why I'm not fostering/adopting children, why I avoid making eye contact with the homeless man at the intersection on my route to work, or why my guest room sits completely unused for 50 weeks out of each year. But, the truth is that these "rational" explanations (or better described as excuses) are not "biblical" explanations.
The truth is that I (and I believe WE, the Church) have been lulled to sleep and have embraced the “comfortable” life defined by our American Dream. I judge things far too often based on their worldly merits. In fact, I have become so entrenched in the things of this world that I believe for a period that I had almost completely lost my ability to see things through His eyes and with His heart. So, while my explanations may have been rational, the rationale was entirely from a secular view.
I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that the American Dream has absolutely NOTHING to do with God’s will for us. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think God’s will is that we be miserable. But, I think He wants our joy to come from His joy. In other words, He wants us to see things like He sees things. He wants us to have His heart.
So, the next time you have 100 reasons NOT to exhibit compassion on the homeless, the fatherless, the impoverished, the ... check your rationale against His Word. When you begin to recognize how far you are from seeing things with His eyes and His heart, you may think twice before turning on that television and instead spend your time making a meal for that struggling single mom next door or attending classes to become a foster parent.
While most people may not give an answer quite that frank if asked, I cannot come up with any other explanation. As an American Christian myself, I can tell you that this has been my attitude, even if only subconsciously in some cases. While I give a considerable percent of my income to the church (who in turn supports missions) and to other charitable organizations, I've invested very little of my LIFE "[looking] after orphans and widows in their distress." (James 1:27) I can provide you with all types of rational explanations for why I'm not fostering/adopting children, why I avoid making eye contact with the homeless man at the intersection on my route to work, or why my guest room sits completely unused for 50 weeks out of each year. But, the truth is that these "rational" explanations (or better described as excuses) are not "biblical" explanations.
The truth is that I (and I believe WE, the Church) have been lulled to sleep and have embraced the “comfortable” life defined by our American Dream. I judge things far too often based on their worldly merits. In fact, I have become so entrenched in the things of this world that I believe for a period that I had almost completely lost my ability to see things through His eyes and with His heart. So, while my explanations may have been rational, the rationale was entirely from a secular view.
Over the past few weeks the Holy Spirit has begun removing the veil that has shielded me from the truth of my actions compared to His nature and commands. I now realize that I am being inundated with a worldly view everywhere … from television, radio, stores, books, magazines, the internet, friends, family, etc. … and it shapes my thinking ... our thinking. We think we can isolate the impact of these influences, but in fact we cannot. We cannot consume this secular view day in and day out without it having a significant impact on our perspective. My claim here is supported by both scientific studies and by our practical experience.
For example, why do most of us think that long-legged, bone-thin women with broad shoulders, high cheek bones, a prominent jaw line, and silky hair define beauty? Is that thinking built into our DNA? Is this God’s definition of beauty? I think not! To a large extent it is the culture that defines beauty and then imposes it on us.
We’re getting hundreds if not thousands of inputs like these every day. It’s impacting our perspective and we don’t even realize it. We are influenced by the culture around us, which has become more and more godLESS. So, it’s not surprising that when we consider a decision about where to live, what car to buy, or whether to give up our comfy life to serve Jesus completely, we are overwhelmingly influenced by these worldly forces. It’s a vicious cycle. Because we don’t have a godly perspective, we open ourselves to worldly influences, which makes it harder to have the godly perspective we need. The scriptures tell us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)
For example, why do most of us think that long-legged, bone-thin women with broad shoulders, high cheek bones, a prominent jaw line, and silky hair define beauty? Is that thinking built into our DNA? Is this God’s definition of beauty? I think not! To a large extent it is the culture that defines beauty and then imposes it on us.
We’re getting hundreds if not thousands of inputs like these every day. It’s impacting our perspective and we don’t even realize it. We are influenced by the culture around us, which has become more and more godLESS. So, it’s not surprising that when we consider a decision about where to live, what car to buy, or whether to give up our comfy life to serve Jesus completely, we are overwhelmingly influenced by these worldly forces. It’s a vicious cycle. Because we don’t have a godly perspective, we open ourselves to worldly influences, which makes it harder to have the godly perspective we need. The scriptures tell us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)
I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that the American Dream has absolutely NOTHING to do with God’s will for us. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think God’s will is that we be miserable. But, I think He wants our joy to come from His joy. In other words, He wants us to see things like He sees things. He wants us to have His heart.
So, the next time you have 100 reasons NOT to exhibit compassion on the homeless, the fatherless, the impoverished, the ... check your rationale against His Word. When you begin to recognize how far you are from seeing things with His eyes and His heart, you may think twice before turning on that television and instead spend your time making a meal for that struggling single mom next door or attending classes to become a foster parent.
