Why Not? July 17, 2008
Posted by Matt in Jesus, social justice.Tags: help, hungry, idealism, Jesus, poor, pragmatism
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Last night several of our “Growth Groups” from church met together with some of the missionaries we support for a meal and a time of devotion/discussion. The topic at hand was one that is near (and constantly becoming nearer) to my heart, helping the poor and downtrodden, but I have to admit that I left a bit disappointed.
I regretfully stayed out of the discussion for the most part and just listened to the comments of my brothers and sisters:
“We can’t help everyone in the world.”
“We can’t all be Mother Theresa”
And my (regretfully) unspoken question is, “Why not?”
Since when is the cause of Christ defined by pragmatism and practicality? Sure, maybe radical idealism isn’t realistic, but does that mean we shouldn’t even try?
To be fair, my good friend and sparring partner Patrick also brought out the idea that our job is to help those in our immediate vicinity and then, after seeing Christ in us, will do the same, and on and on. Which is a great attitude to have, but, at the same time, I can’t help but ask why we should stop there.
Why don’t we try to change the world?
Great questions, Matt. I’m preaching from Matthew 6:1–4 this week on giving to the needy. It is interesting that Jesus says “when you give” not “if you give.” And that is the first call to piety!
One of the things that I have wrestled with in putting together this sermon is the idea that our churches have become, in most cases, a barrier to the true ministry that Jesus called us to. So much of Jesus’ teaching is on care for the marginalized and forgotten. It’s about giving honor to the shamed and embracing the excluded.
But look at our budgets. They are eaten up with salaries, buildings and ministries designed to prop up those on the inside. As a result we typically have a small line item for “benevolence” that treats momentary needs (sometimes) but is relegated to an undesirable niche ministry and often perpetuates the ungodly strictures of hierarchy and oppression that Jesus railed so much against.
The questions we need to begin wrestling with as the church deal with whether or not we can truly be faithful when we run a glorified social club that does periodic charitable acts. I think my answer is becoming more and more a resounding no.
And if I believe that, truly, that means that drawing a salary for ministry is less of a legitimate option for me.
Great thoughts.
i just wish that there were more people like you out there, Matt. I think that the people who do think that way are already out there being Mother Theresa and don’t take the time to promote themselves or their work helping others. It is always a good thing when we are confronted with the poor. What is most important is whether or not we respond to that confrontation. Sometime you should come over and visit with us and talk more on this…
Thanks for your comment, Scott. I’ve been wondering about why you are getting out of the ministry – now I think I know.
Nicole, do you mean for me to come visit you guys in Togo? I’d love to sometime, but I’ll need a little more vacation time before that.
Matt,
interesting post. The only way to help everyone is to help the person in front of you. Even Mother Teresa isn’t helping the whole world. Besides the fact that she is dead, her personal focus was on the poor in India. Her Sisters of Charity helped others, but didn’t meet everyones needs. Just because someone says that they can’t help everyone, doesn’t mean that they aren’t interested in helping as many as possible.
I know someone who has been homeless and poor. This person said never give money. Give food, buy food, take care of needs, but never give money. What would you say to that?
Even Christ was realistic. He focused on a limited few who changed the world. He didn’t go everywhere and do everything. Please don’t think that pragmatism and practicality are hindrances to helping.
I would say we do try to change the world by helping one at a time. Change has to come from within. We can’t force someone to change. True change takes time.