NOTE (1/12/18): We’re all learning and growing.  Some of the stuff I’ve written in these old posts may no longer be exactly what I believe or think, or at least may not be articulated the way I’d do it nowadays.  I preserve them in an attempt it to be transparent about my journey, and in the hopes that readers may still glean some insight from the core ideas found here.  Thanks for journeying with me!

So here’s a question: I know of pastors who are rich, popular, drive Lexuses and live in nice houses.  I also know of pastors who have nothing, are hated by the world, and are being tortured and killed for their faith.   So…who’s more like Jesus?

Believe it or not, depending on what kind of church you’re from, your answer might be different.  I’ve been a part of both sides and wrestled with this basic issue for a long time, and finally I think I’ve got a conclusion worth sharing.

If you think this issue is already cut & dried, contrast these ideas from the Bible below.

The Point

I’d like to get right to what my thoughts are, if that’s alright.  First off, If God’s ultimate desire was for us to live a sad, pathetic existence, He would not have started us out in a paradise. And He would not have provided a way back into it. This is foundational – God’s ideal of life is, well, heaven. In fact, our assignment on earth is to bring back that reality.

And that’s also the conclusion of this article. The end.

“But that doesn’t answer the questions you raised.”  Maybe – but if Jesus didn’t make it black and white, who are we to judge?  What if this isn’t the right question to ask?  Think of it this way: Jesus marveled at the faith of a centurion (Matthew 8:10). Centurions are rich. He also commended the poor widow in Luke 21:3 for her tiny offering. She was, um, poor. Jesus didn’t discriminate, did he?  Let’s explore this further.

A Rich Man Can Enter the Kingdom

So the Bible says that “a rich man cannot enter the Kingdom of God”.  But think of this: Was Jesus poor? You don’t know that. I mean, when Jesus told his disciples to feed five thousand men, the disciples actually implied that they had enough money to go buy food for the whole crowd (Luke 8:13). How are you supposed to throw a banquet and invite the poor and homeless (Luke 14:13) if you don’t have the means to do so? If you’re going to condemn rich people, take a look in the mirror. The fact that you have internet to read this article makes you a likely candidate to be in the wealthiest 20% of the world. Chances are you rank even higher than that.  How well-off do you have to be before it’s ungodly?  Just slightly better than yourself?

After Jesus’ statement about rich men, remember that he then goes on to say that it’s impossible for anyone to get saved – without God, that is.  Perhaps that was what he was driving at in the first place?  Keep in mind that God doesn’t bless you just for you – and He doesn’t have a limited budget.  Moses asks the Lord, “…Unless you go with us, what else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:16)  Is it possible that the rich could use their influence to change the world?

But It’s Not Guaranteed

But, to those who think worldly riches and relaxation are our lot as Christians, consider that Jesus said “he who loves his life will lose it.” He basically says we’re supposed to despise money, and NOT to store up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19, 24). Jesus even refused to even feed himself miraculously because apparently God had not permitted him to (Matthew 4:4). Are you that in touch with the Spirit of God – that you can give it all away at the drop of a hat? Christianity isn’t a picnic as much as a war:

“May a physician in plague-time take any more relaxation or recreation than is necessary for his life, when so many are expecting his help in a case of life and death? Will you stand by and see sinners gasping under the pangs of death, and say: “God doth not require me to make myself a drudge to save them?” Is this the voice of ministerial or Christian compassion or rather of sensual laziness and diabolical cruelty?” -Richard Baxter

Being rich isn’t wrong, it’s just harder. Bill Johnson said, “The greater test is not whether you give something away, but whether you can steward it well.”

What “Persecution” is Not

I must point out that I feel that the church applied the term “suffering for Jesus” to a lot of stuff that God can’t take the credit for.  I do believe that God wants people to live free of sickness and disease.  Check out the differentiation in James 5 between “have patience in suffering” and “prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well”. If this thought is new to you, it’s piggybacking off of some stuff I shared here.

I also don’t believe we are ever to lose our joy or God’s presence in our lives.  Paul and Silas were in prison and still giddy, weren’t they?

Finally, I think there’s a big difference between being “hated for the sake of the Son of Man” and being rejected we are under the influence of the “spirit of stupid”, as Kris Vallotton says.  Here’s a good way to gauge this: ask yourself if you are actually preaching and demonstrating like the apostles did, or like John G. Lake’s missionaries did in South Africa in the 1900’s (in one year, Lake buried 37 people who died of hunger after they chose to return to their mission work knowing there was no food or money left).   Does your poverty and suffering stem from sharing the Gospel, or have you just not taken God at His word to provide everything you need (2 Corinthians 9:8)?

You don’t just get points for suffering – God isn’t sadistic, He’s a good Father.  Remember, soldiers bring glory to their commander by winning glorious victories over the enemy!  Victory takes sacrifice, that’s all.

If you want to hear about some people who I feel are a more accurate representation of suffering for the Gospel nowadays, subscribe for free to Voice of the Martyrs magazine.  Also, study these verses from one of my favorite fiction authors, Randy Alcorn – and read his book Safely Home too!  And if you want to hear more about how God can provide everything you need for every good work, you’ll be encouraged by the stories of George Muller and Rees Howells.

Wrapping Up

Again, our assignment is to bring heaven to earth. So if your wealth helps you fulfill this assignment, fine! If your poverty helps, fine! But don’t judge everyone else who isn’t just like you. J.I. Packer said “A half truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth”. Rich people may be more challenged with worldly distractions (and ponzi schemes), but nowhere does Jesus condemn being wealthy in and of itself, just as he doesn’t condemn the poor.  My concern is that, on one side, the church has reacted to the bad stewardship of many rich people and created a wrong idea of “suffering for Christ”, but on the other side, much of what the church calls “the blessing of the Lord” is simply selfishness and an unwillingness to sacrifice comfort in order to share the Gospel.

Paul had a great conclusion about this whole thing, and I’ll leave it to him to wrap up.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12)

Change the world!