Money, Mission and Ministry

Currently in the process of raising support to be part of the IT team in OMF Headquarters.  Jotting a few thoughts, reflections and emotions.

I can still remember the shock and impossible feeling when the OMF missionary told me about this role and it was a non pay role.  Aka.  I have to raise my own support OR God has to open up the supplies for me to go.  That was in February.

In my prayer letter, I asked people to pray for me to not be so focus in money.  Of course, money is needed in order for me to go.  At the same time, many people asked me whether I should do this or do that in order to raise funds.

I once heard of a missionary going to Africa and the church organized a fair where people play games and win prizes to raise funds.

In my church, we sent a number of youths to Peru on a short term mission.  They had a number of ways to raise support.  One of them is becoming a slave for someone (detailing their cars, doing their chores etc.).  Someone suggested I should do that.

At first, I thought about doing a fundraising dinner.

There are many ways in raising support. OMF has a policy of non solicitation.  This is, I am technically, not suppose to ask directly for money.  Based on the tradition of Hudson Taylor (and other OMF missionaries) on how he raised funds (simply through prayer and relied on God), it seems that raising support today is so different.  This is not to say that the non solicitation method is the ONLY Christian way of doing things.  Even Paul in his ministries asked for other church to contribute (Romans 15:24-25) as he is on his way to go to Spain.

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And I see how raising support, though it is for God's ministry, at times can be quite commercialize.  If this is a human endeavor, this is how you do it.  You network.  You meet as many people as you can.  You focus on those who can give (aka those who are rich).  You pass bulletin.  You sell and market yourself.  You build relationships.

In my mind, if I need more money.  I will just get a second job.  Why not?  It is much easier and I can probably make a lot more.

It is so much more tempting to focus on the money aspect and my eyes from seeking Him.

Money, the love of money, is evil.  While many of us will reason that, well we do need money to live, so what is wrong with asking for it.  Myself included, wonder how often I ask for money and I am not satisfy.  (Side note: I am taking from a context that I have far more than I need in a world where most people live less than 2 dollars a day....).

And so, what do I do?  What do I say?  Hehe..to be honest, when people ask me about this topic, I stutter.

Where do I start?  I start off with saying...seek God first and let's see how He provides.   Perhaps I can ask them to pray together with me.

...

The question I ask myself is how am I following His Will and not my will?  What's the method where I can surrender everything to Him?  It would be quite ironic if I am doing the Lord's work and yet not follow His Will.

For me, I focus on prayer, faith, and surrendering.

First, pray and be close to Him.  We can do many things.  But everything starts and continues to be in relationship with Him.

Second, have faith, many people ask me about my current job and what not.  It is no big deal.  It looks like the end but it is not.  Selling everything, withdrawing investments, these are all simply a matter of faith (or obedience).

Third, surrendering.  I have trouble talking about living everything for Jesus if I don't do it physically.  Is how I spend and how I save consistent with my preparation?  I believe there is a huge portion of it is just let go.  Even Jesus said to the rich young ruler, sell everything, give it to the poor and follow Him (Luke 18).  Or deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me (Matthew 16).  What can I say about surrendering in a culture which we aspire to collect and accumulate?  It is different.  And at times, I don't realize how much I attach to my things until I sell them.

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So is this to say that I don't ask and just sit around? Well, there are many ways to raise support.  But for me,  right now, I am leaning towards on faith and pray.  This is not to say I do nothing.  I request my church to partner with me.  My friend asked me to submit an application to her church for support.  I am thankful with the positive response and the response from my congregation in supporting me.

So this is the fine line I am walking.  Maybe it is easier to go and promote this big thing.  But I am cautious as how often it draws attention to me and not to Him.  Cliff, the faithful one, is taking this big adventure to risk life to follow the Lord.  Cliff is risking everything.

Mission is never about what we do or what we give.  Mission is about He is doing.  It is God's very nature to send out and to go after the lost (this is very missional and Missio Dei thinking).  We are merely a participant in this.  Yes, we should encourage each other on the Great Commission. But may we never lift up ourselves higher than the source and sustainer of Mission.

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At this point, OMF is asking me to come earlier because they need me by mid Nov.  So what does that mean?  How will the funds raise?  I have no idea.

I am hopeful.  Because this is all up to Him.  He has to open the doors.  He knows the need of many Asians who do not know the gospel  He knows my desire to serve.  He knows that I can contribute by ensuring the admin process of being a missionary is easier and communication between different parties (home side team, field side team, missionary, support staff) be made seamlessly.

And I am most hopeful because God always pull miracles when there is no way.  Perhaps this is God's nature to show that it is only Him that works.

I recalled Moses and parting of the Red Sea.  It was at the point when the Egyptians were behind them and there's no way out when God opened the way for the Israelites (Exodus 14).  Or Gideon when God reduced his army to a mere 300 against the enemy as many as the sands on the seashore (Judges 7).

This is God.  He is active as this is His mission and I am simply a participant in this.

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”1

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

Exodus 14:13-18

Possessions, Culture and Missions

This post has been accumulation of my thoughts...tonight, taking the subway back home, I was reading Transforming Culture: A Challenge for Christian Mission by Sherwood Lingenfelter.  The book is about the dangers when sharing the Gospel to another people group we sometimes inevitably include our own culture.

One particular experience struck me....

..a missionary complained bitterly to him about the time he had to spend on maintenance at the station.  He said, "I spend 90 per cent on maintenance and 10 per cent on ministry. I am deeply frustrated! Please carry the message back to our churches of how desperately we need maintenance help." 

The missionary described how disputes about property had alienated him from his African neighbors. Complaining that they had no respect for private property, he described how hostile neighbors frequently cut the plastic water pipe that brought water from his storage tank. 

... 

Neither the pastor nor the missionary considered the possibility of forgetting the maintenance and getting on with the ministry.  The maintenance of the property was of higher priority than the ministry of the gospel in that missionary's life.  He would not say this with his words, but he clearly showed it by his actions."

Earlier today, a friend sent me a story about a doctor in Singapore...

He could have made it big as a doctor, earned a lot of money, settled in a home with a car. All he ever tells us medical-missionary wannabes, is never to buy a house or a car in Singapore, because as soon as we do, the asset will have too great a hold over us. He even tells us about when to have kids, because if they are not timed well, going to the field will be put off. Many of his batchmates are outstanding ministers of parliament, rich doctors and famous professors. He chose a different route, lived in a small flat in China and bought a simple bicycle to ride to hospital every day. 

I am currently taking a course on Christian Missions in a Global Context.  In this week's class, a student who come back from Nepal made a comment how when the local Christians wanted to become a missionary, they wanted to have a car, a cell phone and a laptop.  The rational was that all the foreign missionaries had those assets and that became a necessity in order to share the gospel.

Earlier in the book, Transforming Culture, the author asked:

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Is it possible to bring a truly transforming gospel, or are we always limited to reproducing our cultural reflections of Christianity wherever we carry the message?

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The book outline a series of different aspect of culture we need to be aware of.  I just finished reading the chapter on wealth and possessions.  I remembered the times when I see R on the street.  I often wondered how he can live on the street with nothing but a few bags hanging from his wheelchair.  I could never live like that.  Tonight, as I was reading this book, perhaps because I am seeing him from eyes of a rich man.

When I was in Cambodia, I became very aware of my own necessities.  It was very interesting because things which I thought were luxuries for me became necessities.  My bed, for example, I never thought much of it.   In Cambodia, I longed to be back in my bed.  I longed for the comfort of back home.

Before Hudson Taylor went to China to become a missionary, he tried very hard to live with nothing and to learn to rely on faith.  That was the sacrifice he knew he had to make.  Had he brought a lots of possessions, he would inevitably spending more time on maintenance than ministry.

If there is anything I learn from my previous years, to be effective in ministry, especially cross cultural and to those who have less than I have, I need to lighten my load.  I need to travel light.  I also have to become careful to not impose my own set of cultural expectations, in this case, wealth, upon the people group I am sharing the Gospel.   Last year, I gave up triathlon in order to focus on God.  This year will be a year to learn to live lightly.

Property begins to own the missionary instead of the missionary owning the property.  Preservation becomes a matter of preserving self-identity and well-being, as well as fending off disorder. 

Jesus admonishes us to not fear these things. He calls us to a life of pilgrimage...The most important strategy is to adopt a simplified lifestyle.  The less property we own, the less energy we will have to expend to prevent disorder.  By simplifying their lifestyle Christian workers remove the temptation to hang onto the social values of their home culture. 

Missionaries must also relinquish independence and become more dependent (at risk) on nationals.  In Central Africa, for example, many women would be happy to earn money by carrying water for missionaries. While the men would need to learn to do maintenance work, they would be delighted to have jobs.  If missionaries learn to accept less precision and be open to alternative ways of accomplishing things, they will probably find the national workers can take care of most of the maintenance that must be done.  Further, the mutual relationship between missionary and national worker can become a means of discipling new believers. 

To help us change our attitudes we may challenge one another with the question, Whom do we worship: God or the creation of our hands?  Reviewing Scripture passages such as Isaiah 44 can help us come to terms with the issue of false worship.  Only when we are willing to surrender to Christ all that we have are we free to enjoy all that He gives us.  Jesus reminds us in the Gospels that if we struggle to save our lives we are certain to lose them.

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 He cut down cedars, 

   or perhaps took a cypress or oak. 

He let it grow among the trees of the forest, 

   or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. 

15 It is used as fuel for burning; 

   some of it he takes and warms himself, 

   he kindles a fire and bakes bread. 

But he also fashions a god and worships it; 

   he makes an idol and bows down to it. 

16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire; 

   over it he prepares his meal, 

   he roasts his meat and eats his fill. 

He also warms himself and says, 

   “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” 

17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol; 

   he bows down to it and worships. 

He prays to it and says, 

   “Save me! You are my god!” 

18 They know nothing, they understand nothing; 

   their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, 

   and their minds closed so they cannot understand. 

19 No one stops to think, 

   no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, 

“Half of it I used for fuel; 

   I even baked bread over its coals, 

   I roasted meat and I ate. 

Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? 

   Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” 

20 Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; 

   he cannot save himself, or say, 

   “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Isaiah 44:14-20

 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 

 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Luke 9:57-58 

Money Matters

“I continually find it necessary to guard against that natural love of wealth and grandeur which prompts us always, when we come to apply our general doctrine to our own case, to claim an exception.”

William Wilberforce

I was looking for a quote from William Wilberforce about doing nothing in the face of evil is an action as well when I stumbled upon this. I thought the quote is quite meaningful.  It is true.  Often when a need appears to give, I always have an exception.

• Well I can't give now because.....
• Next time I will give....
• I got to save the money for ______ .....

I know we need to save for ourselves and our necessities.  But what's necessities when I make over 50 times more than majority of the world (the average of the world makes less than 2 dollars a day)? ... I think money does matter.  It matters because it can be an idol to our lives.  I hear much of what money is a blessing.  We are also called to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:3).  I do not see this as just preaching the Word.  It is with action.  It is physical.  It is sometimes really simple as instead of spending it on myself, I give it away.

At the same time, how rare do I hear money is an idol?  Perhaps I heard a sermon or read some where I might feel guilty because I have a lot more than others...then I walk away and forget....or I just blog about it!

I question that about myself lately, is that the type of worship what God wants?  To listen to the words and forget?  Or choose to forget and think about more entertainment for myself.  Am I a Christian consumer...or consumed by Christ love?

 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.


 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?


   “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:24-33

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Actually the quote I was looking for was from Dietrich Bonhoeffer...

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.

Justice and Money

Taken from my friend's blog...which she took it from an article written by Tim Keller:

However, many people have imbibed not only an emotional resonance for rights and justice from our culture, but also a consumerism that undermines self-denial and delayed gratification. While they may give some of their time, they spend large amounts of money on entertainment, their appearance, electronics, and travel. For a great number, then, volunteering is part of their portfolio of life-enriching activities, but it is not a feature of a whole life shaped by a commitment to doing justice, including radical generosity with one’s finances.

Our culture gives us a mixed message. It says: make lots of money and spend it on yourself; get an identity by the kind of clothes you wear and the places you travel to and live. But also do some volunteer work, care about social justice, because you don’t want to be just a selfish pig. However, Christians’ attitudes toward our time and our money should not be shaped by our society; they should be shaped by the gospel of Christ, who became poor so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

A few more thoughts (mostly my opinion). I think it is much easier to preach Jesus and sins then tell the congregation to invest money for the Kingdom of God (side note: this is not just about giving tithes or weekly offerings). I would even wanna say it is easier to tell the congregation to spend more time with church activities (insert go to Prayer Meeting, go to Fellowship, join a program...) than tell them to spend for the Kingdom instead of their own consumption needs (in North America, often this is a self entertainment purpose and not a necessity like food or shelter..).  Money is a mix topic. It is personal and tabboo.  Perhaps this is the ... this is my money. I have the right to spend it the way I want.  What gives you the right to tell me how to spend it. 

How often we think of money as a blessing from God...and how often the Bible also often warn about the love of money is not compatible with following God (Jesus in Matthew 6.  Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler. James talk about the love of money is root of all evil.)

It is truly an upside down way of living....when we strive to live with the Kingdom investment first....then spend secondary for oneself.   Rather than follow the culture of I make as much as I can, find ways to save as much as I can so I can spend and enjoy as much as I can.

Yesterday, I was sharing with a youth ministry about a mission trip we went earlier in the summer. The pastor asked me about missional living...I shared about purposely trying to hold back from owning a car as long as possible in order to use that money for mission purpose.  In highschool, owning a car is a symbol and status of independence and freedom.  Priorities definitely change when one's eye is on the Kingdom.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Matthew 6:31-33

 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Matthew 13:44-46

Lifestyle Living and Kingdom Living

I will do a summary on my experience at St Jamestown Short Term Mission trip later....this has been on my mind for the past two weeks and I need to jot it down.  Perhaps seeing the poverty at St Jamestown trigger this post even more so.

This morning I have been eye-ing on the passage Matthew 13 when Jesus uses parables to describe the Kingdom...

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

...

A long time ago, I had one of those conversations with a Christian friend that I absolutely loathe.  I hated it because it made me feel like I was a Christian police.  And if taken the wrong way, friendship would be broken and it made me looked like a legalist or some high nose phraisees.

My friend was mentioning he was having money troubles.  I, in return, shared about how God provided when I needed money to fix my teeth from my bike accidents a few years ago.  Then a while later, he was talking about getting a new car.

I tried my best to hold my teeth.  Let him live the way he live.  After all, money is a private matter.  Speaking about money with another Christian, from my experience, almost always end up being unpleasant.  Not sure what we do with the teachings of Jesus when he talks about money.  But more often than not, the response is typically, 'well, I need to live right? I need money.  Yes, we all worship one God and believed in Jesus.  When it comes to living, I live the life that I want.  God gives me the freedom to do that.'

Or it is the, 'isn't being a Christian all about attitude?  I need to take a vacation right? I deserve it after all the hard work I've been doing (insert..for the church etc.)'

Or 'really, how practical is it to live according to what Jesus talked about selling everything and follow Him? Obviously Jesus didn't mean to do it practically.  It is up to me to decide what to do with the money and I will spend it accordingly.'

So I had a minor confrontation with my friend.  I shared how I recall his financial situation before and how he was contemplating of his new purchases. I offered ways that it is more feasible to buy a used car or something of a lower class.  It was practical..but no glitz.

After much talk, he asked me how should one live according to Jesus...

This is when I started to compare lifestyle living and Kingdom living...

Lifestyle Living

Everyone lives according to how much they earn.

For example, say I am an accountant and I make 65 k a year.  I will go on vacation based on 65 k.  I will buy a car based on how much I can afford with 65 k.  So on and so fourth.  If I make more money, say 100 k (rich accountant!), then I will live according to that.  Get a bigger house, a fancier car, a nicer vacation to fit into the 100 k lifestyle.

Kingdom Living

Kingdom living is wholly different.  Kingdom living is according to the Kingdom that Jesus declared (for more on Kingdom living....can read the Beatitudes, Matthew 4-7). Kingdom living focuses on Jesus as the Lord.  We live according to His guidance.  He, through the Holy Spirit, might call us to go love a bunch of people we don't really care.  We give up our lifestyle and live according to what He has given us.  And (in most cases in North America where we are much wealthier), we invest in His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

I pushed a bit further.  I shared the fact that we live in Canada, we are wealthier than 80% of the world.  This means, we are rich (even at times we don't look or feel like it).  What did Jesus command the rich to do?  To give freely to those who need it.

So if I need to get a car, I try hard to save as much as I can to get a second grade car.  With the money I saved up, I invest in the Kingdom.  Or, every year I go on vacation.  Let say I work for 10 years and I went on ten vacations.  Is it really give up that much to spend one vacation instead on going to an orphanage?

I will be honest.  Looking at the way we, Christians, spend our money, I can say maybe the cost is too high to give up. [Where we spend our money is where our heart is.]

Some believe that to be a good stewards of God's resources, money, we should spend it wisely and make good decisions.  Too true.  But how often I see we use the money for our own needs neglecting our neighbors.  I can go a bit further and go back to Genesis 12:2 when God commands Abraham to be a blessings to others.  It's tough to be a blessing to other nations when I am happy when I save money from a good sales and others are still starving.

Today at Sunday School I was sharing how much joy it is to give because I see God's Kingdom at work.  And God is using me for His purposes.  I think, if someone doesn't get the Kingdom, to them giving is a chore.  This is old covenant, performance-based thinking. I give in order to please God because this is what the rule say.

To be filled with the Spirit, to be reborn again, it is a joy to give.  To give is a privilege because after seeing what Jesus had done for me, what more do I value?  Salvation is so precious.  I will sell everything for it.  Just as Jesus' parable, those who 'sees' the Kingdom, they will be so joyful that they are willing to give up everything for it.

If there is any encouragement, it is from reading Francis Chan's The Forgetten God.

Things like this happen all the time. As a church, we tend to do this to peoplewho are passionate and bold.  We mellow them out. Institutionalize them.  Deadem them to the work that the Spirit is doing in them.  

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Instead of encouraging people who are doing courageous things for God and joining them in their discernment process of how to be faithful to what God is calling them to, we tell them to slow down and back off.  Instead of being astonished at believers' courage, frequently (and unfortunately) I am astonished at believers' timidity and lack of boldness.  What a contrast to the biblical model we are given!

A few months ago I was speaking at a summer camp, and I was speaking to one of the organizations there that sponsors children.  This volunteer told me about a sixteen-year-old girl there at t he camp who sponsors fourteen children, on her own.  I was astonished by this....She told me that she works year-round and she works three jobs in the summertime to pay for the child support.  While other teenagers are saving for a car, she's saving lives! Instead of spending her hard-earned money on herself and her future, she gives it to these fourteen children because she believes God loves them just as much as He loves her.

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People told us that we were foolish and irresponsible with the gifts God gave us.  They said we should at least put some away in case of an emergency.  My response back was, "Is it not an emergency that children in Cambodia and Thailand and even the United States are being raped every single day of their lives?  Why is that not an emergency?" I think the church often inadvenrtently teaches that the sex-slave trade is not an emergency.  And this, I believe, is sin.  Is an emergency only an emergency if it affects me and my immediately family?

...

What I am saying, though, is that instead of thinking and telling people they are crazy when they feel like the Spirit is leading them into something that doesn't necessarily make sense to us, we should join them in the discernment process.  Instead of discouraging people, we should pray for more insight and boldness.  Instead of deadening people to the Spirit's leading with our words and our actions, we should celebrate and join the Spirit's movement in and through them!

Five Hundred Dollars

Starcraft 2 is a computer game that came out earlier this week.  If you are into computer gaming and real time strategy, this is by far one of the most exciting news for a long time.  People are lining up over night, pre-order to get a hold of this game.

I really like the original.  In highschool, I will play it all the time.  Even after so many years, I still play Starcraft on and off.

Earlier this year, I spent a lot of time checking what kind of computer I need to run Starcraft 2.  I realized I needed a new computer.  Spent a lot of time online to check and compared what's the best price and the best spec.

I budgeted myself 500 dollars for components to upgrade the computer.  This is not a lot of money considering the average budget for a new computer is around 1,000 to 2,000.

After months of research, I compiled a list of components I wanted to buy. Everything is good to go....

There is a little part of me kept thinking about what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

After hearing stories from International Justice Mission and Hagar International, I am less motivated to spend money on entertainment.  It is a good game and I will have a lot of fun. Even my friends are asking me to buy the game....

This morning, a post from Hagar International caught my eye. The post is entitled, how your gift helps.  The post outlines a certain donation amount helps sustain their program.

$500   Three months' training program to prepare one woman for sustainable employment.

When Bhoupa was 17, she received an offer too good to be true. A promised waitress job turned out to be life in a brothel. She escaped once, only to be returned. In an unusual twist, Bhoupa's siblings sold their small house to buy their sister back. With no way to support herself, however, Bhoupa was still vulnerable. She found her way to Hagar and chose to learn cosmetology, through the Career Pathways Training Program. Now, Bhoupa runs her own salon, has recently married and is expecting her first child.

One computer game can lasts me a lot of entertainment.  I can spend the same money on helping someone for three months to turn their life around.

Looking at some of the brokenness around the world, I can say there is certain sadness and guilt.  Does what Jesus really some fancy words I memorize and can recite it? Or maybe even know the Greek definition, study the heck out of it, know every other reference to it?

Or do I just take the harder road and to live it out.  And I must admit, my friends will surely be disappointed after all the raving I done about how much I want this game and I am not going to get it.  Not sure if they will understand as I don't want to sound like I am some saint.  And I won't be playing with them if they decided to have a LAN Party.

The same amount can help turn a person's live around.  A person that I do not know or ever see in my life.

I think about Lazarus and the poor man as well.  Jesus said this parable to point out the Pharisees how they simply turn the poor around them away.  They didn't even make aware of their existence...No compassion.  How sad.

So following the way of Jesus can be a lonely road at times.

Some day, on this lonely journey, you will face a strong head wind.

And the more you move, the more it feels like you are barely moving forward.

Yet, we should just keep riding on.

Because this road is a road that He laid out for us.

His Spirit is ahead of us, guiding us along.

He already done everything need to be done.  We are merely just witnesses to His Glory.

Some day will be easy.

Some day will be tough.

Some day you will feel all alone.

Some day no one will understand you.  People think you are nuts.

Some day you might not even understand why you do what you do.   You might even think you are nuts.

Yet, there is a faith and hope that I cling on to.  Even when, in a smallest sense, where I can spend the money to get the game and computer that I WANT.  I choose other wise.

...

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Hebrews 11:24

This might sound cynical but I want to add that Moses suffered more ill-treatment from HIS own people....ouch!

I haven't donate the 500 dollars to Hagar International.   I have another project in my mind I wish to pursuit.

One of the joy of being single and serving God is that I can ride this Christian living as hard and as crazy as I  can and want.  [Not to say it is bad to get marry....just for now, I am single..what a great opportunity to pursuit His Kingdom at all cost! Probably just gotta find a partner that wanna go crazy as well!! :D]

Lightweight living

I read this article a few days ago.  It is about a couple who after coming from a long hike and realized there were a lot of things in their life they don't need.

What do you do with things you don't need?  You chuck it out.

This is what they did.  They started to give away their possessions and realized there is a lot that they don't need to live.  The couple are serious hikers.  They are the type that will spent weeks in the trails with everything they needed on their back.

And hikers admired those who can hike with less.  Too many possessions on the trail will weight you down.  Less is more.  There was one extraordinary hiker by the name of Wolf.  He carried a pack weighting only 14 lbs including food and water.

From my own experiencing of camping. Not hiking.  Camping.  The type where you drive to the camp site.  Quite tame :).  I could barely get my backpack to 14 lbs including my sleeping bag.

The author goes on explaining how hikers had a tendency to attach to their possessions.  How true that happened in our culture as well.

...

A few weeks ago, after church over lunch, we were talking about wedding and buying a house.  Average wedding 30,000.  A good down payment for a house...about 70,000.  That's 100 k!

What else can someone do with  $100,000?  Well, more than half of the world make less than 2 dollars a day.  Let say one person makes on average 700 dollars a year.  We can take care 142 people for one year!

hmm the disparity era that I live in.

...

Going back to the article, the author continued on discussing about our view of success if often proportional to how much stuff we have.  The more stuff we have, the bigger house we need to store it in.  The bigger house we need, the bigger expense we need to protect it (insurance, security etc.)

I had a conversation with a friend a few days ago.  He is getting marry and recently bought a house.  We talked about how our possessions start to take control of us.  There are things we need. There are things we want. There are also things we think we need and think it is good for us when they are really idols in our lives.  I don't want to lecture my friend about how to spend money.  As the subject of money t is quite sensitive. Often when I bring it up, most people tend to keep quiet or dismay at the topic.

I told him to read the Bible, see what Jesus has to say about money, pray and seek the Holy Spirit and see where He is leading him in that matter.

How odd in a culture that values getting more, acquiring more, and collecting more, the thought of living with less and simply is very attractive.  I can see many sources of stress in my life are because simply I have too much, not because I have too little.  The stress of deciding what to do with all the stuff.  The stress on trying to cram everything into my schedule.  The stress of making more so I can take care of all the bills.

The society expectation to look great, eat healthy, work hard, have fun, go out for adventure, have a stable income, have good friends, be a good family, be independent......not that all these things are bad.  I just dislike the pressure to perform and expected to perform.  The unconscious exclusion when someone don't meet the norm.  (heh, we all value individuality..yet we only value it when it is our individuality is met.  If another person has a different set of individuality, we will think that person is different)

When I went to Australia for the World Transplant Games, I spent two weeks afterwards to backpack along the coast.  Because I had to carry everything over my shoulders, I was very focus and cautious on what to bring and what to leave out.  There were many souvenirs that were nice. But they weren't essentials.   So I discarded them.  My pack was as simple as I could make it.  I was quite proud.  It was great.  It was free.

On this walk with Christ, I strive for lightweight living. So I can walk faithfully along the narrow path that leads to life.

The article ends with a quote from Wolf

“All we need to know is that it’s possible.” 

And we know it is possible because Jesus has shown us the way.

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

(Luke 10:1-3)

Nuts!

This story has nothing related to my post...but since this is my blog, I get to write what I want :)..I thought this is quite a serious and funny story to share.

In World War Two, one of the biggest battle fought was the Battle of Bastogne. It was in December 1944 when Germany launch one of their last counter attack against the Allies. The German Army encircled a number of paratroopers (the 101st US Airborne) in a town called Bastogne. The German officers asked the trapped soldiers to surrender.

The German Commander received this reply:

To the German Commander, NUTS!, The American Commander

Hehe.  The Germans had no idea what he meant.

...

I was sharing with a sister earlier this week that I think sometimes I think I am nuts.  Can't everyone see it?  Can't anyone understand?  To give up one's life??!?!?

For example, let's take the idea of voluntarily selling everything they have to join Him....and as crazy as that sounds, it is also very intriguing and attractive. Sure, I had discussion about it.  What would you do if you have to sell everything and follow Christ?  Would you do it?

Sure.  We will say yes. I know I would.  When I seriously thinking of doing so, I can feel a mix of emotions.  Wow, it is hard to let go.  And to let go require the changing of one's heart.  And it is only the Lord that can change one's heart.

A while back I was asking God, 'God, how come my pay is so little? I had been working for so long.  Shouldn't I deserve a higher paying job so I can be more independent?'

More independent...less reliance from God??  Ha.

After understanding it was God's provision at work and how He provided me throughout the years.  I had an ever lasting God with so much love and compassion. Why would I go anywhere else???

I stopped asking that question. (Matthew 6:25...do not worry what you eat or drink).

This is where the rubber meets the road. To be honest, I don't think most of my friends understand (and that's ok...b/c sometimes I don't think I understand).

I had been asking for God to give away my tri-bike.  This is like my prize asset.  All my friends know I love the bike and sometimes they tease me that I treat the bike like a real person..hehe

If it is something I cherish so much, why am I asking for God to take it away?  I know it doesn't make logical sense.  I can't really explain it.

I feel like I need to be free of everything and seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.  This ain't some monk like attitude where I live off the land and so on.  But rather, I wanted to strengthen my faith and rely on Him to provide.

When I see how the Lord provides, it is very 'illogical'.   The stories of Moses, Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, Jonah.the lists goes on and on.  None of their life is very logical.

Who would give birth when they are old in age? (Moses and Sarah)
Who would send 300 people against an army big as the sands in the dessert? (Gideon)
Who would be anointed as King and spend the majority of his life being hunted like a fugitive? (David)

So I say....yup I think I am nuts sometimes.

My previous pastor was from Philippines.  He once shared with us the story of how he went to England to get his Ph D.  He told us that he had to take a risk.  It was a step of faith.  Biblical Faith.  He and his wife sold everything and they didn't have enough money to live in England.  At the airport, the official asked them how would they live with so little money.  To which he replied, 'by faith'.  The official laughed, stamped their passport and let them pass.

When they arrived and went to school, he applied for this grant.  The application he wrote was horrible.  Even his wife didn't understand what he was writing.  Yet, by faith, he received the grant among many entries.  God is at work...

...

And so here I am.  The longing for such faith.  The refining of my life to be a witness to receive such faith.  And sometimes if I am nuts and I don't make sense...it is ok.  He always provides.

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5)

Notice that the apostles said it to the Lord.  They understood that only Jesus can increase their faith.  Or in a way, they realize they cannot do this on their own.....and I know I cannot do it on my own....

Reflection

Fairchild TV is a Chinese TV station in Canada. On Saturday, they are doing a story on me, my liver transplant at Sick Kids and my triathlon and 'athletic' achievements. I use the term athletic loosely as after all the triathlons I completed, I still do not consider myself as an athlete.

For the coming interview, they asked me to invite my friends and my family to come and share my story and my experience.

Coincidentally during this week at work, my coworker told a new coworker that I had a liver transplant and how I am very healthy and active. Naturally I started to share about my past and how it is a miracle that I am alive today.

Heh. It is funny how I often forget. Last month when I taught the Sunday School about how the people in Exodus keep forgetting what God had done for them, that's like me.

Tonight I am looking through the photos to print out for Saturday. As I looked at the races I done. From my first triathlon, to an Ironman, to Transplant Games, I can't stop to realize that wasn't that far ago. It felt very distance away.

At the same time, I pause as to see where God had took me from a few years ago.

When I was in highschool, there were nights when I lie in my bed, telling myself I had to be successful in life. Then at University, the desired to become financially independent was enslaving. Friendships were broken for the sake of a dollar. Right after I graduated and right before I started coming to Church, I wrote a list of things I must accomplish. And guess what, they all revolve around making money and making riches. To support family and be financially independent.

Now in a short five years, that list which compel me to go, no longer dimmed attractive. By God's Grace, I am freed from the slave of worldly wealth. I caught a glimpse of a treasure that is worth more than anything I own or ever will own. Nor can I afford it. Yet it was bestow upon me without a price, yet at the same time with such an immense cost.

And if there is anything, I can testify that God do indeed have the power to change heart. He did it to me. Hehe..without my approval or my awareness.

Tonight, I was at Open Door sorting clothes before heading to fellowship. And as I walked by Open Door where they served dinner to the needy on every Thursday, I was greeted by a familiar face. She and her family were regulars. She remembered when me and my fellowship played bingos with the group last year gave everyone presents.

And this is what I cherish now. The longing of a kingdom that this world desperately needs but does not realize nor care. A kingdom fill with grace, mercy and compassion. A kingdom that is so radical that it welcomes the unrighteous and the 'righteous'. A kingdom that breaks the grip of this world not by power or might, but by humility and gentleness.

I said it before and I say it now, I never consider what I did as something great. Nor can I take credit for what's happening in my life. I am nothing more than an observer of a great One who is working through me. I am just a messenger of the One who came 2000 years ago and will be coming. I am nothing more than passerby in this land. A sojourner. An exile. And someday I will go back to my true home.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46

Not just doing good things...

Why should Christians share? Why should we give? Why should I give?

Just want to post up a few pointers before I head to bed.

There are two points:

i) For myself

A while ago I was doing a paper on Christian Ethics. I was studying on the Rich man and Lazarus. It is the commentaries of many great theologians that struck me that the Lazarus is outside of the door of rich man. Yet the rich man did not show concern about Lazarus. Even Jesus plays with the names of the character. As Lazarus, poor, would often in our world be nameless. Any one with wealth and status will have a title. Jesus, in his story, reverse this. (Upside down Kingdom, indeed!).

Jesus once said, you either love God or love money. Either love one master or despise the other. You cannot serve both. (Matthew 6:19-24)

When I give, it is for my soul. It is a way for me to focus on the Lord. I will not choose to serve money by following it, hungering it and have it choke my life and bring temporary satisfaction that leave me starving for more.

ii) For my Lord

In Luke 3 John the Baptist came out of the wilderness and told people to repent and to produce fruits, people started to ask John what to do.

This is John's response (Luke 3:11-13)

To the crowd - "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

To the tax collectors -"Don't collect any more than you are required to"

To the solders - "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."

----

Shouldn't John be telling the people to tithe more or make an offering to God in the temple? Rather John's response is to share to those who need it, to be fair and just.

Looking at Isaiah 1:13-17, we see that God does not just want offerings. Rather He wants the people to do right, to act just, to plead for the case of the widow. This is the character of God. To share, to act just and to do right is not an add on. Rather it is coherent in WHO He is.

Also in Micah 6:8, He already showed me what's good. Christ already shown that in His life. He came down and humbly died on the cross. By His Mercy, I, a sinner far away from God, was saved.

....

The last point I like to make which I have been thinking more about is how much do I believe in salvation. Sure we know Christians we will be with Christ when we died. My career and all my achievements in the end will fade away? That this life is nothing more than foreshadow of another life. That I am an exile and my real resident is not on this world?

In August when I went to Australia and backpack, I was travelling light. Afterall, why do I need to worry about anything. I won't be there for long. Three weeks here and there. I just get what I needed and move on.

If I am a merely a passerby of this world, should I be hunkering down like this is my permanent home?

So should Christian give? Yes. Because Christ give freely of His life so we can be reconcile to God and men.

What if we don't give? Perhaps our hearts are hardened and the grip of Satan's lie that this world and all its extravagance is still holding us from seeing the truth?

The devil led him (Jesus) up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'

Luke 4:5-8

Proverbs, Daily Bread

Three verses (Proverbs 30:7-9) I meditated lately:

7 "Two things I ask of you, O LORD;

do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

give me neither poverty nor riches,

but give me only my daily bread.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you

and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'

Or I may become poor and steal,

and so dishonor the name of my God.

....

Only, no more, no less. Dependence is wholly on God. Not on mammon or self. When I am too rich, I tend to forget about God. When I am too poor, I am tempted to sin by stealing.

....

Jesus used a similar verse when He told us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13):

9"This, then, is how you should pray:

" 'Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Poor Rich People

Taken from Crazy Love (pg 89-90) by Francis Chan :

...

Because we don't usually have to depend on God for food, money to buy our next meal, or shelter, we don't feel needy. In fact, we generally think of ourselves as fair independent and capable. Even if we aren't rich, we are "doing just fine."

...

What is more messed up - that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don't think we're rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves "broke" or "poor"? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne was on a Scottish pastor who died at the age of twenty-nine. Although he lives in the early part of the nineteenth century, his words are astoundingly appropriate for today:

I am concerned for the poor but more for you. I know not what Christ will say to you in the great day... I fear there are many hearing me who may know well that they are not Christians because they do not love to give. To give largely and liberally, not grudgingly at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money; make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.⁷

The reality is that, whether we acknowledge our wealth or not, being rich is a serious disadvantage spiritually. As William Wilberforce once said, "Prosperity hardens the heart."

7. Robert Murray M'Cheyne, as quoted in John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003), 105.

Intentional spending

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada.

I went on a ride. It was rather breezy and I put on my winter gears to keep me warm. Because of the holiday, the roads were empty. It was a cyclist heaven. I weave in and out of the streets of Mississauga which normally were packed with traffic. Instead of the stress of making sure there is cars coming at me. I was at ease.

I had a few things on my mind. The quietness and the solitude of the road allowed me to reflect.

I was thinking about where I am spending my money. I thought about the time where I went out to share a hot dog with a homeless person in Nathan Phillip Square. I spent 6 bucks for the hot dogs. Then afterwards I went to MEC and checked out a winter jacket for 200 bucks.

To be honest, I felt quite selfish afterwards. I took an ethics course and I reflected on the fact that I am willing to spend 200 bucks on myself for running (not essential) yet the guy who I just shared a meal with probably needed that jacket more than I do.

The question goes back to...am I really living for myself or for Christ? (Side Note: I didn't end up buying the jacket).

A few friends are going on missions and they lack funds to go. Though we believe that God will provide, I cannot stop but think about those who are partnering up in prayers and in purses.

I thought about where I am spending my money. Usually the response would be, Cliff you are doing pretty good. You know you do not over indulge etc etc.

Then I thought about the coming winter season and was considering getting a season pass at Blue Mountain. I thought about what am I really giving up for Christ...in hindsight, I backed out on the season pass. That money is better spent some where....like help expand the Kingdom of God.

Rich and poor

Last night, I was sharing with a friend that I still have trouble explaining how come Christians are living with so much wealth when there is so much poverty and oppression in the world.

Luke 16:13

Putting my money where my faith is

My cat, Jojo, fell ill a few days ago. He stopped eating and drinking. While I was at work, I fell quite stress over it. My other cat, Bibi, died earlier this year. I still remembered the weeks where my sis and I took care of her as her health deteriorate. I was wondering if I had to do that again.

So after work, we took Jojo to an emergency pet hospital. After a brief examination and a shot, he was released. Jojo situation hadn't got better and we are going to take him to the vet tomorrow.

The bill came up to 300 dollars. I paid on the spot without thinking about it.

As I drove back, my mom was telling me there was a gentleman paying 2,000 dollars for his dog's surgery.

As a pet owner, I want the best for my pets. They are like family. More than family. My family is more worry about Jojo than me if I was sick.

At the same time, I cannot stop and wonder, what I can do with that 300 dollars. I was talking to a sister who helped out at The Ratanak Foundation. With 2,000 dollars, they can save a girl from child prostitution. I am sure 300 dollars can go a long way to helping someone in need.

Where am i spending my money is where my faith is. If I store it in the bank, knowing full well that the money can go to someone in need, then we know my love for earthly wealth is more important than heavenly treasures. It is black and white. And in a capitalistic society it is more so.

And God, being a loving Father, will act and do justly to help those who are marginalize and those who are hurting. We should always remember that how we spend (or not spend) our money relate to our faith. We should always remember that our Father is a justly God and a comforter for the poor and the weak. As such, we are to act the same. That is if we are serious to say and believe that our life is a living sacrifice.

This Sun, my church is collecting for a number of community projects...and that's where my money will go.

For where your treasure is, your heart will be also - Matthew 6:21

And I am serving only one master.

For where I spend my money....

This is from the paper I submitted on Sat:

n Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus summed up the commandments to love God with all your heart, all your strength and soul. He also said to love your neighbour as yourself. When an expert of the law asked Jesus who our neighbours are in Luke 10:25, Jesus used the Parable of the Good Samaritan man to illustrate that our neighbours are not just physically those who live around us. It is anyone who is broken, poor, and in need of help.

Based on the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, the two silver coins left by the Samaritan man equals to two months of stay in the Inn. On top of that, the Samaritan offered to reimburse extra expenses.

The Samaritan spends extravagantly for a man he did not know or relate to. As I was looking at my spending of that night, especially with the soft shell jacket, it donned on me how little I thought of my neighbours.

It was a cold winter night when I was sharing the meal with the homeless person. I ended off our conversations telling him that he should take care himself in the cold. By the time I left the conversation, my heart stopped thinking about him and his needs. I could have use the money instead of taking care of myself and purchase a jacket or winter clothing like gloves or hat for my neighbours on the street.

Do I love my neighbours as much as I love myself?

Though there are a number of actions how I used the money for the Kingdom of God was clear: sharing a meal with the homeless and Anita’s birthday present. These are also intent and motive I need to consider in discerning whether I love my neighbors as myself. A much preferred action in the decision to purchase the soft shell jacket was to use that money to spend on the poor.

In the book, The Challenged of the Disciplined Life, Richard J. Foster repeatedly advised to give money away (the Grace of Giving in page 42, Dethrone money on page 61, Guidelines for Giving on page 73).

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus said, ‘for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ In this paper, it appears that where I spend my money, there my heart will be also.

Economics

Taken from Kingdom Ethic's (Stassen and Gushee), page 414:

...the follower of Jesus is overjoyed at the opportunity to participate in the kingdom’s dynamic advance in every area, economic life included. Living simply, not hoarding wealth for ourselves and trusting God to meet our basic material needs are practices that free us to offer generosity to and seek justice for and with the poor and hungry and, in general, to follow Jesus. Finally, in turning our hearts and eyes in this direction we ourselves enjoy the added benefit of a remarkable personal liberation that yanks us free from greed, acquisitiveness and a fruitless worry over treasures that will all too soon pass away.

Let them eat cake!

A while back, my friend asked me a question. We were discussing Christian living in a materialistic world. As the money we receive is a blessing from God. Where do a Christian draw the line in terms of buying things? What about brand names?

In Matthew 5, Jesus taught the His disciples the Beatitudes...

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3).

In an online discussion, I wrote:

In the book, Kingdom Ethics, Glen Stassen and David Gushee on page 38 illustrate the poor in the first Beatitude as “oppressed by the rich and powerful, powerless, needy, humble, lowly, pious.”

.....

Compare to majority of the world, I live in a society of abundant and great wealth. And the meal I am about to have most people will long for.

One can see that compare to what Jesus describe as poor, my life is far from it. As Jesus “embraced the social and religious outcast” (pg. 39) and God is actively deliver and the poor, where do I fit in?

How do I, as a follower of Jesus, be a participant in God’s reign?

I had a discussion with a few brothers in my fellowship. The discussion led to Christians living in extravagant lifestyle.

The majority of the discussion becomes a topic of the degree of extravagant. How do one define one’s lifestyle is extravagant? A Christian making $30,000, compare to the rest of the world living little more than a dollar a day seems to be very wealthy. If this Christian lives in a neighborhood of millionaires, than his/her lifestyle becomes “lowly”. As you can see, this can be quite subjective.

Or is it more of an attitude towards Christian living? The attitude of relying on God’s guidance to give and help those who are needy and those who are poor.

John Wesley once said "Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can."

I don't think this is ever truer in a Christian in a resource rich society.

I also think the focus is on the attitude. Lately, I've been troubled by the realization that perhaps I am not as sensitive as the needs of the poor as I think I do. What if, there are those who are poor in spirit around me, yet I simply not see them.

It reminds me of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

Am I the priest or the Levite who saw the man and simply passed by on the other side?
Simply too busy to care for things that I need to do? Or do I have eyes and do not see?
Or am I the Samaritan who is able to use money generously and drew close to the Kingdom of God?

I am also reminded of what happened in France in the 1700s. The peasants were starving. When the princess was told about the situation and they had no bread to eat, she replied:

Well, let them eat cake!

I just hope that through focusing on God, that the HS will convicted my heart and I will see, be participative in His Grace, and be blessful to those who are poor in spirit.

Money Matter: Follow by faith, not by bank account

Since Dec 25 last year after I signed a contract to God I will seek Him first in everything I do, I've been slowly working on my financial matters.

As part of ushering ministry and part of collecting tithes, I am obligated to be faithful to God in the money I was blessed. Or else I become a hypocrite.

How can I tell others to put money in the offering bag when I don't do that myself? So the first thing I do is every time I get pay, I write a check for tithing.

I actually find myself more rely on God (aka spiritual growth) by

Looking back over the months, there are times when my account sink low (single digit anyone?).

And despite that God remain faithful. I am still getting fed. No empty stomach here.

Next, the world of triathlon can be quite expensive. An entry level tri-bike easily cost 1,200+. I purchased a tri-bike earlier the year. It felt great. That's mine Ferrari.

Last month, my friend did a triathlon for the first time and I lend him my bike. I figure I need to make sure that the bike is not my idol. After all, it ain't mine and it belongs to God. I am a mere steward of His Blessings. I also realize that a bike is a bike. Like any other material goods, it will rust and decay. I might as well make it useful before it is gone.

To go against the norm, to give instead to horde, is definitely different. I don't know how else to describe it. But I've been thinking more about giving money to others than spending on me. And at times in a society driven by financial security, it is weird.

The money I received, I will spend it. Either to myself for someone else. I remember all the movies that I watched for the past 5 years. Many of them, I don't even remember. I wonder if the money I spent on the movies, I can invest in someone, what change would that make?

Matthew 6:

19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

I still remember before I accept Christ, financial independence was my idol. That's all I strive for. As I stand now, I see where money lies. And the thought of money doesn't satisfy me.

After thought..

Perhaps I was too strong on what I wrote on this blog. There are times when I do worry about money. I do worry there is a lack of it. I do worry what if there is enough for (food, pay bills, family etc.).

I then think about the fact is that money is never enough. I have never heard anyone who can say "I have all that I need". Those who make 30 k, will think 40 k is enough. Those who make 40 k will think 50 k is enough. Those who are millionaires will think billions are enough.

I don't know if anyone notice that we are driven to get more and more and more. And a part of me don't want to play that game. 10, 20 years from now, I probably mass more wealth. But the mentality of getting more still remains. So in essence, having more doesn't satisfy. In essence, how much I own doesn't matter if I am still thirsty for more.

Here's where my faith lies and where I am putting all my eggs at. As Jesus say..store my treasures up in heaven. And how do I do that? Invest in people. Invest in things that will bring Glory to God.

Job, after his first test by Satan, tore his robe and shaved his head and said,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. ^[c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."(Job 1:21)

Naked I came and naked I will depart. At the end, I am going to pass away...might as well use God's resources to the best that I can.

Money Matter: Questions

I am taking a course at McMaster Divinity. The course is Christian Ethics: Money, Sex and Power.

For one of the paper, we have to write a situation (relate to ethics) in which we personally experience. I have been reading The Challenge of the Disciplined Life by Richard Foster. When there is a book I enjoy to read, I tend to go through it very quickly.

Two nights of reading and I have gone through 60+ pages. Richard first discussed the light and dark side of money.

I decided to discuss money for my paper. This blog will be where I bounce and polish my ideas and understanding.

In the gospels, Jesus made many reference of money (Matthew 6:19-24, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 16:1-15). It is interesting this is possibly the least topic discuss at church. Some might think this is too personal or inappropriate for Kingdom living. For me, for the past few months I have been discerning and consciously aware of how I think about and spend the money that I was blessed.

On the way to work today, there were a lot of questions regarding money surfaced in my head.

Yesterday, a speaker at my company's convention shared that a machinist charged $50,000 dollars for 15 minutes of work. The story is to show that it is things of value not the time invested in that's important. Is that right?

Where do Christian stand in the view of gambling? Especially poker when it is hugely affluent in today's culture?

How do one view today's consumeristic mentally? The need to get more and better? How should a Christian view on spending on entertainment?

Is there a need to discipline on one's spending? Is financial a personal and private matter? If it is, how can one discern how's one's dealing with money is in align with God's Will?

What do Christian do in looking for deals? For example, is it ok to not declare items purchased through customs?

What about investment (stocks, mutual funds, RRSP, businesses)? Retirement fund?