As the stock markets tumble out of control and financial chaos grows I'm asking myself a question. In these uncertain times, how do followers of Christ balance the management of our earthly blessings with our Lord's call to an emphasis on the eternal? Must we somehow try to separate our two kingdoms, getting down and dirty in the here and now while relegating the eternal to after-hours?
In The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard firmly opposes this dualistic approach and suggests that God calls us to live an eternal kind of life now. God's divine conspiracy is the subtle, deep, invitation to escape the wisdom of the world and to enter the school of the Master. His curriculum alone can make sense of this world and truly prepare us for the next. However, for those who choose to sit in the classroom of Christ, be prepared to be misunderstood and mocked by the "wise" leaders of this world.
Revisiting my initial question concerning the management of earthly blessings, what does our Teacher have to say. In his inaugural message to his followers(Matthew 6), Christ clearly lays out his financial curriculum for his students.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.For the Christ follower there is no reason to worry in turbulent times. Our investments are not subject to the the bull and bear markets, political bailouts, or the advice of financial advisers. Our treasure is secure and our heart is focused on what really matters. The problem occurs when our heart is turned to the wrong place. When earthly comfort, financial security, and self-centered living, capture our heart and minds, we suddenly find ourselves cold to the things of God. Jesus put it this way.
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."But so often we try to serve both. In times of prosperity it can even seem possible to do so and we begin to believe the subtle lie that maybe Jesus missed the boat on this one. Maybe it is possible to love God and still amass for ourselves the earthly comforts afforded every American. Don't we have a right to own a home, drive two (or more) cars, and have access to quality affordable health care? And God forbid that we should do without cable TV or high speed internet service. But in fact there can be no doubt to Christ's statement: We cannot love both God and money.
One of the blessings of this time of turmoil is it forces us to examine our lives. And worry can be an accurate indicator of where we are at in terms of our earthly and heavenly investments. Worry is a blinking light that flashes out a dire warning; "examine your life....examine your life...." Jesus tells us,
do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the unconverted run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
