Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Poverty and the American Soul

Many believe if their bank account is doing poorly then they must have missed a cue from the Almighty. God is trying to get their attention and lead them back onto the path of righteousness by economic incentives. Does that sound right to you? Ever heard of Job?

A big part of this is cultural. Americans (although we try to deny it) have a deeply ingrained Puritanical work ethic...we have exported this to the world as the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" method of prosperity. If you are earning, then you are doing things right (morally, spiritually, economically), but if you are poor then you are not just poor and economically bankrupt, you are morally and spiritually as well.

 



All of this is bogus thinking. My great grandparents believed it, my grandparents believed it, my parents believe it, and it is even preached as Gospel in many churches, but I am honestly trying to break the chain with myself. Not because I want to be poor, but because my economic standing has NOTHING to do with my spirit or morals.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10 KJV
The love of money is the root of evil...oh but there will be the naysayers! Who will jump into this conversation and say, “What about the Parable of the Talents?” I say to them, the servant who took his money and horded it (like in a bank account), and grew not morally, spiritually, nor economically did wrong. But the servants who grew their enterprise did well!

I have chosen to live with less things and put my efforts into working toward a creative, literary life. No I haven't got money in my pockets, overflowing, nor will I in this present moment. BUT! I have grown in my enterprise both spiritually and morally. I have increased my territory (to call on the prosperity folk hero Jabez). I have not sat idle like the wicked servant of the parable, but neither am I bank rolled. Have I missed the Lord’s calling? Have I missed the boat entirely? No. God is still for me, as I am for Him.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV