Friday, April 17, 2009

Some sort of rant, and scripture

I don't understand why young Christian college couples register for household items that cost $$$-$$$$. Seems a little self-indulgent to me, and a little discourteous to the guests, too (even if they are adults). Yes; you are going to have them for a long time. No; you are not going to have them forever.

I believe that a Christian should be poor towards oneself and rich towards God and others. I also believe that a Christian should steward all resources wisely, whether it be his or not. Someone else's money is God's, too, you know. And I'm not saying being a good steward means we can't enjoy things on this earth while God wills. I'm saying we should enjoy, not wallow in, the objects of this world. I don't think a Christian should have the finest possessions possible... to an unbeliever, it invites judgment; to an OCD believer like me, it lays down a stumbling block. Jesus says in Luke 16 that we should "make friends for ourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness," and this is true. We should create relationships through our wealth. I just don't think the best things for ourselves are necessary to accomplish this. (But then again, I'm probably wrong in God's bigger story.)

It just makes me so sad and disappointed that so many Christians (Americans, especially, in my opinion) are complacent of billions and billions of dollars being trashed, on themselves and otherwise wasted... whether it's a sprinkler spilling over on the sidewalk or other people spending hundreds of dollars on you for things that won't last forever! Argh! It bothers me SO MUCH!

I also think that this should bother every Christian. As a side effect, it makes me frustrated that conservative evangelical Christians are not champions of rescuing environment, not taking part in redeeming creation in God's newly inaugurated kingdom.

It also makes me frustrated that I can't say, "each according to his own faith."

[EDIT]

"The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." - Rom.14:3-4

"But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." - Rom. 14:10

"Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door." - James 5:9

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