(Today’s thoughts close this series, bringing hopeful practicality to the theme: Christians are called to servanthood.)
Good news remains: We can remain committed to lives of service. Service to God, not to the wealthy. Some personal reflections at this stage in life….
I have the power of speech.
My servant-voice is still heard by others. At this time in life, I can be bold in private and public discourse. Speaking truth to power, I can influence others to seek God’s will over self-idolatry.
Materialism will not rule me.
I refuse to allow social media’s algorithms to control my decisions. I don’t believe that unbridled, unending prosperity is an inalienable right. I will not travel lifestyle toll-roads controlled by the rich.
Wealthy philanthropy encourages me.
As in *biblical times, some wealthy people are committed to the good of others. As an example, Warren Buffet’s The Giving Pledge has harnessed the generosity of billionaires, influencing those like them to use their wealth to change the world. (See 1 Timothy 6:17-19 for similar invitations from St. Paul.)
My prayers for justice are being answered.
Each day’s news tells me that those profiting on the backs of the poor are being exposed and punished. Those whose greed is beyond description are shamed. Ordinary workers have flexed their economic power. (See 1 Timothy 6:5b-10 or James 5:1-6 for biblical instructions.)
The Spirit keeps me awake.
It feels like the arc of history is bending away from the folly of unsustainable wealth. Deeply spiritual awakenings are seeding confession and repentance among all of us—including me and those who are wealthy. Our idolatries may be running out of time.
Like you, I want to keep servanthood as a key component in my life. Freed from subservience to those whose wealth has tried to control us, we are instead bound by God’s love for the world.
We will persist as servants of God….
* The record of Scripture is clear: God’s love extends to all, including those who are wealthy. In the past, those who loved God more than their riches were instrumental in forming Judaism, in supporting Jesus’ ministry and in spreading the Gospel of Jesus.
(To receive these entries when they are posted, go to the upper right hand corner of the top banner and click on the three dots or parallel lines. Scroll down to the subscription form and enter your information.)
