I’ve always heard about people who live in poverty but have more joy than people who live in Orange County
While it may be true that in some places people have less physically but more spiritually, the lack of things cannot be pointed to as the reason for that joy. I have encountered a few people here that have few possessions and are filled with God’s joy, but I would like to announce the reality check I’ve experienced: This is a third world country—the people here have close to nothing, daily life is a struggle, and many people in Tacna (including a few members of the church) have no hope in Christ. As a result, a lot of people are depressed.
After spending a few weeks here, I didn’t know what to do with these observations. Should I try to convince the people to be content with having their water cut off for five days while I dream of a warm shower the moment I return to the States? Or should I give into the other temptation and get rid of all my money and possessions in hopes that some people will be blessed and happy in God? I’ve been trying to write this blog for two months but haven’t been able to because I didn’t have an answer…until now.
Just because people can survive with plywood walls, curtain doors, and water that only runs from 3am-7am doesn’t mean it’s easy to live with. It’s depressing to sleep on the floor with your entire family. It’s hard to wash dishes, cook, and do laundry when the water only comes sporadically throughout the day and night. Families suffer when every adult in the house works 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. Fixing these problems won’t necessarily result in joy, and God allows people to live with little just as He allows people to live with much, but let’s not ignore the problems people face around the world in hopes of sparing them from materialism.
So when do we give and when do we trust that God is doing a work despite the hardships? Are you ready for the answer? It’s very simple—listen to God. Be sensitive to His guiding and obey. God repeatedly emphasizes how small this life is, how stupid it is to hold on to things in this life, and the eternal reward that comes from giving.
We brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 1 Timothy 6:7
Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. Mark 10:21b
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so they may experience true life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
God has shown me I need to give away everything I have every day; I need to give all of my heart and my things to God in every moment, and then allow Him to decide where to distribute it all. Some things may be mine for today and not tomorrow, some things may be garbage, and some things may be better used for others, but it’s all God’s. All I have to do is listen to His guiding in every situation and obey.
At first I was disappointed with that simple answer. It makes life more complicated because I can’t just say “20% of my income to missions, my Starbucks fund to ‘blessing’ others, and the rest for me—I earned it.” But life isn’t that clear-cut. There are times where it’s appropriate to buy a meal for a single mother raising a family of three and a huge burden is lifted, and there are times where buying that meal as a “blessing” actually insults her because it makes her feel incapable of providing for her family. This is one small reason why there is no rule to live by except to abandon everything, recognize that all of our stuff is more temporary than we can humanly understand, and then listen and obey what God asks us to do in each situation.
In all things, I am striving to remember:
It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
…When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6:38
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:7-11
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