A subtle, but popular trend in Christian evangelism today is the idea that prosperity is the means by which we can communicate the genuineness of our religion to unbelievers. I only know this because of my stint in youth ministry. It’s never said like that, but it’s communicated between the lines.
I can remember long discussions about the importance of dressing hip. Being strong, assertive, confident yet still "humble". We’d make no big deal about spending money frivolously on things that just weren’t all that important, like interior decorations, late night fast food and gas. Tons and tons of gas. All because in a covert way, it said one thing:
"I have it all together. God has (I have) it all taken care of. And, if you believe this, this is how orderly and nice you’re life will be too."
I’ve often had conversations with people about the absurdity of that idea. Historically, it’s just not effective. In fact, I’m betting it’s more destructive than anything else. I mean, when our behavior ultimately causes people to focus on us and not on God, all we do is create our own little religions that quickly die out. In fact, when was the last time you can think of that getting a new car really really caused your heart to flutter and your mind to move to worship?
Probably never. I mean, I’m sure you’ve been thankful. As have I. But realistically, it’s not generally prosperity in our lives that really moves us to worship. So, if prosperity in our lives barely moves us to worship God, why the heck would prosperity in our lives move anyone else to worship?
I’ve always argued from the point of the martyrs. How so often hardened soldiers and opponents of Christianity would be melted and converted at the sight of a martyred disciple. But tonight, something else dawned on me.
Jesus himself gives a great example of this very thinking:
Luke 23:47-48, immediately following Jesus’ death on the cross, while is body still hung there:
Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent!" And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
It strikes me that people are hardly ever, if ever, moved and changed at the sight of a Christian’s prosperity. But almost always, at least, impacted at the sight of a Christian’s love and faith, in spite of disparity.
In more ways that one, Jesus’ proved that to us.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:22 am
Well said.