Missions, Money, and Morality

I am an American in a foreign land and I travel as such. Let’s look at my apparel: I am listening to a touch Ipod ($300) full of music and some movies through “skull candy” head phones ($15) – and I do not even want to embarrass myself by estimating the cost of the contents contained within my sleek black software. Several items are on the coffee table in front of me: a razor cell phone ($200?), two books “Brisinger” ($13) and “Interventions” ($10), an Americano coffee (85 cents) and a bottled water (40 cents). I am wearing Khakis from Express ($20), a Calvin Klein belt ($15), a Honda-thrift-store T-shirt ($2) and a pair of chacos ($60). The journal I am writing in was purchased at Barnes & Nobles for $20. I am sitting in an air conditioned coffee shop in India adorned in $656.25…good thing I didn’t decided to bring my stuff in the pack that was purchased at REI a few years ago ($125). Oh wait! I almost forgot my wallet ($10) plus its contents of 2,500 rupees ($55) and my navy blue passport ($50) embroidered with the national seal of an golden eagle holding arrows and a branch in its talons with the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” surrounding its head. But please spare a portion of my dignity and do not calculate the cost of the twenty eight stamps contained inside! Yes sir, I am an American in a foreign land and I travel as such.

Why did Jesus spend so much of his time talking about money? He rarely seemed to address the politics of the day on his own accord, but always seemed to hit ones “pockets.” We are on the verge of an upcoming election and the world seems to have stopped waiting to see what America will do next. Everyone seems to be concerned with this election (and I believe rightly so). But what would Jesus speak today amongst such political tension and economic crisis? Maybe, just maybe, the Spirit of Christ would speak one of the very messages he spoke before, “how dear sir do you spend what’s in that wallet of yours?” I think Chris Tucker was right after all, “money talks” and I believe it talks a lot to God. Budgets are moral documents, gateways to a person’s, families, churches, organizations, and even nation’s heart of hearts.

Let’s take a look at my own “morality:” I love music (hence the Ipod), I love sitting down reading a book while sipping rich espresso, and I love adventure and travel (hence the loaded passport and the worn chacos). Just by looking at my possessions one can tell what I enjoy and what I am willing to spend money on. Is it to much to conclude from simple analyzing my “entourage” that I love myself? That I am predominantly concerned with love for myself?

I slowly run my fingers through my freshly shaved head as the sobering reality begins to sink in. I take another sip of the rich espresso and as the warmth slides down my throat splashing into my stomach I realize God’s work in me has only just begun and we still have miles to go until its all said and done. The Lord’s previous words to me on the flight here begin to immerse me once again. This year, this wallet, these hands, this very breath, and this life are not all about me, but about something much greater, something much more beautiful and something much more worthwhile. “The world” constantly screams at me to live my life and use my money to above all love myself. Yet God is also ever present whispering just the opposite, “no Sam live your life and use your money to above all love me and love my kids. It is here in this place – when you lose your life for my sake – that you will find the one you were always meant to live and believe me its good!”

I want to thank you for joining me this sunny Indian afternoon and I hope that as my message comes to a close God’s has only just begun. Please do not let this Blog entry, this hour in your life, and this day God has blessed you with simply pass by. Stop…focus…think…and allow Christ’s Spirit to guide you in truth. As individuals, as families, as churches, and as a nation what do we spend our money on? I believe there is a shaking from God ripping through the States. The economy is collapsing, foreign affairs are embarrassing, and the dollar is falling, yet the kingdom of God cannot be shaken! So, I ask myself and I ask you, which will you invest in?

(With that said I have a few additional comments to make for cautions sake. God doesn't want or need or "things," he wants our "hearts." And please know that the Ipod and the cell phone where given to me unexpectedly as gifts and I am not irresponsibly squandering away support money on luxurious technology.)