On Faith and Capital: Gambling?

What is wrong with gambling? There are no scriptures in the bible directly related to gambling or the “lotto”. There are also many churches that have no problem having a church raffle, or bingo game. So, what is the real answer? Obviously, there is a more serious issue in extreme cases where people become a slave to gambling, e.g. playing the lotto and your children are going hungry or bills go unpaid. In cases where gambling becomes an addiction, the issue is no longer gambling; there is a deeper craving in the soul that is unfulfilled. The issue I seek to address in this blog is what is fundamentally wrong with gambling – church raffles and bingo games included.

To answer the question, one must differentiate gambling from other risks and ventures. Legally, gambling is the taking of unnecessary and unproductive risk in which one agrees that on the outcome of an uncertain event he may gain or lose. Professional gamblers may counter this argument by suggesting that their primary source of income is derived from the ability to calculate risk and thereby avoiding unnecessary risks and mitigating uncertain outcomes. However, this is not the case for a large majority of gamblers that pursue gambling for entertainment and as supplemental income. The unfortunate reality is that the gaming industry preys on the “unprofessional” gambler.

As a former trader, I could be convinced of an argument that proposes legal gambling for “accredited” gamblers. If it can be proven that the gamblers have sufficient discretionary income and knowledge of the game, then the associated risk is akin to professional investing or any other market transaction where buyers, sellers and speculators set future prices, with ultimately uncertain outcomes.  Such an approach would create an exchange that is not based of goods and services, but simply one’s professional skill as a gambler. In fact, then the game would be recognized as professional sport and would be outside the realm of this discussion.

What makes gambling for the “unprofessional” sinful is that it violates a number of New Testament principles. First, gambling violates the New Testament principle of stewardship. Christians are to be “faithful and sensible” stewards of the things entrusted to them by God (Luke 12:42). Someday we must give an account of our stewardship (Luke 16:1-2). The Bible teaches that God is the owner of the world and all things (Psalm 24:1; Exodus 18:4; Psalm 50:10-12). All belong to the Lord. Therefore no one has the right to foolishly involve himself in taking a risk in gambling away that which belongs to God. The probability of any one person’s winning is so low and uncertain that gamblers risk and waste their Master’s goods. The faithful and wise steward will conserve his resources, invest them profitably and use them for good (see Matthew chapter 25).

Second, gambling is sinful because the gambler seeks to gain at the expense of one or many others who are unskilled and many cases mentally unstable. We prefer not to know the consequences of those who loose their money, while we relish in our winnings. For every winner, there is far greater number of losers. Who should bear the responsibility of the family who goes hungry or the family who is unable to pay their financial obligations? In games like the lottery or slot machines, we close our eyes to the source of money and the obligation we have to love our neighbor. I am hopeful that if a Christian were confronted with the harsh reality of the families and individuals who lost their wages to gambling, so that they could win the jackpot, that they would give the money back. In Matthew 7:12 he said, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” 1 Cor. 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” In Christian business transactions, all parties gain something of value, Col. 3:17 – “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Today many governments have legalized gambling; however, this does not make it acceptable in the eyes of God. When New Jersey legalized gambling in 1978, according to F.B.I. crime statistics, the crime rate jumped 92%! Should we expect anything good to come from ventures designed to benefit one person at the expense of another. If a Christian engages in a thing that causes strife and vanity, then their “Christianity” is worthless. Christians are to “abhor what is evil,” (Romans 12:9).

Finally, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. If gambling is what churches use to supplement income, then where does faith come in. Churches should not be so quick to rely on games of chance to supplement their lack of faith in God for increase. Further, what example is the church setting for individuals and families? In lean times, the bible teaches us to call on God, not games of chance. The reality is that when we gamble we hoping for things that we have seen someone else win. We ask ourselves why not me? Like the conversation between the serpent and Eve, we are tempted to believe that we can have something that God has forbidden. We convince ourselves that it won’t be too bad if I only do it one time or if I limit how much I bet, but we soon find ourselves enslaved far beyond our intended limit. It is at this precise point that the enemy begins to destroy God’s plan for our life.

The greatest gamble you could ever make is to believe in a God you have never seen and to give your time, talent and treasure to the fulfillment of God’s mission on earth. Some may argue that this risk is unnecessary and that the outcome in uncertain, but I am living witness that God can do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

On Faith and Capital: Birth Pains in Haiti.

In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti there are many Christians asking where God is in all of this? How could God allow this to happen to so many people who sought the Lord for protection in the valleys and shadow of death? Was this God’s plan for the husband and wives who lost their children or each other? How does a husband reconcile the lost of a pregnant wife? How does a child reconcile the lost of parents? What will the preacher in Haiti preach on this Sunday? Is God still good? How can the people of God sing songs of joy on Sunday morning, when there is no church to return to? Should we bother even having service this week or next?

One of the stages of grief is denial and I am certain there are still many people in Haiti who are in denial about the catastrophic consequences that have changed their lives forever. While in denial, people will try to carry on their lives as usual and their new reality has yet to come into focus. Still others will continue to pray for miracles, but when the last stone has been turned and the relief workers have returned home, then anger will abide in the hearts of many. This anger will cause a separation from God and can result in an extended depression and a total loss of hope. For this reason we must wrestle with questions of faith and be able to reconcile who God is in the midst of so much pain.

The 55^th verse of the first letter to the Corinthians reads, “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” Beginning on January 12, 2010 and the days yet to come, the sting of death weights upon the hearts of everyone, especially those who have labored for economic justice and human rights in Haiti. Throughout Haiti’s national history, life has not been easy and the recent earthquakes have continued a legacy of senseless deaths and aborted dreams. This time the sting of death cannot and must not be ignored.  Let us embrace this pain, this sting, as we gather all of over the world to help rebuild the hopes and dreams of a people determined to embrace a life a liberty and justice. Indifference shall lead us all down a road to which there is no return.

The sting of death is real for us all, but the victory of death has no place in the hearts and minds of those believe in the atonement offered by Jesus the Christ. There was no victory gained by anyone in these recent deaths of more than 200,000 men, women and children. Left are widows, orphans and parents and love ones that shall no longer share the lives of those who are gone. Yet, we do have victory in the promises of Christ Jesus. Life does not end with the events of this world and that is something we can rejoice about.

We do mourn for the injustice perpetrated against Haiti over the past 200 years and in the name of God we declare that this moment shall not pass without a witness.  We mourn the death of every man, woman and child as well as all living things (especially pets) so that the threat of injustice shall meet the resistance of justice.  We mourn today to answer the question, “O death, where is thy victory? Where is thy sting?” with the justice loving mercy that inspires us to walk humbly with our God.

Finally, we are reminded in the Gospel according to the Apostle Matthew, that Jesus warned us that we “will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. As we mourn for the pain we are experiencing, we must realize that God is bringing forth a new creation – a new heavens and a new earth. Let the birth pains come, for through these pains the best is still yet to come.

Amen!

On Faith and Capital: The Hidden Cost of Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This sentence written by the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews nearly 2,000 years ago still gives incredible joy to so many Christians all over the world and yet makes no definitive claim that a non-believer can fully appreciate. Is it possible to hope for things without faith? The other obvious question is faith in what? There are many whose faith is placed in political or economic power and still others whose faith is placed in their individual ability to achieve what they are hoping for; however, in these instances there is generally some evidence on which this type of faith is built on and therefore, the cost are not hidden. On the other hand faith in something for which there is no evidence, has many hidden costs.

Faith in something for which there is no evidence is probably the most difficult thing for a rational person to consider. Few people will go so far as to claim that “God is Dead” like the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. However, there are great numbers of people (Christian and Non-Christian), like Nietzsche, who are looking for foundations that go deeper than Christian values, what he described as “the essence of reality.” In many areas of our lives we prefer to believe that God is either in a comma or in an anatomic state and not able to observe or engage in our daily lives. Many Christians, when challenged about their faith, will say that they are “just trying to be real” or “this is business.”

Obviously there are some hidden costs or aspects of faith that are not commonly discussed or articulated. Instead, faith is commercialized, then personalized and based in large measure on evidence of things seen. This is not the kind of faith the Apostle Paul was writing about. The true torch bearers of the Christian Faith suffered greatly to present their life has a living testimony during times when there was no evidence in sight. We can discover these hidden costs of faith in the testimony of the African slaves, who in the midst of total deprivation of their humanity, still found the audacity of hope to have faith in which there was no evidence. We can also discover the hidden cost in the testimony of the great hymn writers of Europe, who fought to reform the Church. We must also never forget the testimony of the martyrs who held on to the faith in the centuries following the death of Jesus the Christ. These great men and women of the faith counted the cost and willingly gave up their lives to keep the faith.

In a post-modern world where information is communicated around the globe in seconds and many of the mysteries of the dark ages have been revealed through modern science, do we still need the kind of faith that the Apostle Paul writes about; must we incur the same costs. I argue that the costs are even higher now. The 17^th Century, French philosopher, Blaise Pascal argued that even though the existence of God cannot be determined through reason, a person should wager as though God exists, because living life accordingly has everything to gain, and nothing to lose. Perhaps life in Europe at that time made this wager seem like an obvious bet, but we are now living in unprecedented prosperity and convenience. To fully experience the joy and the assurance that comes from a childlike faith in something for which there is no evidence, one must consider the cost.

The first cost is humility. We must come face-to-face with our mortality and our false confidence in worldly systems. This cost is revealed too often at times of great fear and is soon forgotten when the fear has subsided. Without accepting the cost of humility, people often appear as arrogant, charismatic, extroverted and attention seeking. At the same time they feel extremely emotionally vulnerable to rejection and may fly into a rage if they are slighted in this way. It takes great courage as each individual will need to face the trauma they carry rather than simply try to suppress it or try to compensate for the negative effects it causes. Alternatively, this cost was revealed and paid for all eternity when evaluated in light of the knowledge of the incredible love that Jesus demonstrated for humanity. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Redeemer and Lord of your life requires you to surrender faith in yourself and systems and placing your faith in Christ.

The second cost is personal sacrifice. We must come to the conclusion that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have to obtain the grace of God. This cost comes with a paradox, because Jesus already made the greatest sacrifice and thereby has already given humanity the grace it requires. Yet, we must be willing to respond to this offer of extreme love by sacrificing our worldly possessions. In the center of this paradox is the process of learning to trust God for everything rather that what we have evidence of.  It is easier for a poor person to accept this grace than a rich person, who has a false sense of humility. At the end of the paradox God will not withhold any good thing for those who serve him. You do not need to take a vow of poverty to serve God, but you must be willing to care for others at all cost.

The third cost is the most illusive, but it requires us to consider God in all our ways – what would Jesus do? In an increasingly secular society, where people are looking for foundations that go deeper than Christian values or what Nietzsche described as “the essence of reality”, we must diligently seek a biblical worldview that informs our response to every area of our life. Without this worldview, we are likely to experience a general mood of despair and a perceived pointlessness of existence. This third cost is more like a “rebate” for those who have faith in God. There isn’t an immediate reward, but there is a promise of something yet to come. For some, the rebates may come through out their lives in the form of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, but at the end of our life we will receives the greatest rebate – eternal life. This good news! Be sure to share it often as possible with others and help make this world a better place for us all.

Amen!

On Faith and Capital: A God of Nations?

Recently, I have become overwhelmed with the anguish of living as a foreigner or an alien in a country that proclaims to be an “elect” Nation for a chosen people. I must confess that there was a period of time in my life that I assumed that God’s preferred language was English and that his preferred Nation was America or the United States. Strangely enough, there are still many of my fellow Americans who share this view and have never given much thought to the consequences of such a narrow view of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.

Please do not misinterpret my feelings of anguish for an attack on the xenophobic tendencies of the nation I am currently residing in. I am the last person to throw a stone when I am only proficient in one language and only recently come to realize that God does not need an interpreter to inhabit the praises of those who worship Him. I even struggle to write this blog because my language is woefully inadequate to capture the thoughts and experiences of that which is greater than all things created. How do you describe something that has no gender and has no beginning or no end? The Hebrew writers refused to speak the name of whom we affectionately call God. Nevertheless, I am compelled to raise the question with my inadequate language, “Does God favor one nation over the other?”

Is it wise to ascribe the wealth of a nation to its “Godly” characteristics? Conversely, is it wise or morally right to suggest that poorer nations are not “Godly”? As I live among the poor here in South Africa, I struggle with the proclamation that America has more because we are blessed and that somehow we actually deserve it. I would like to convince myself that Americans work harder and therefore we deserve a higher standard of living. Yet, it is painfully just not true. I am impressed with the strong work ethic and wise stewardship of the meager wages received by hard working people here in South Africa. It could be argued that the people of this country are more faithful and appreciative of the little that God has provided than the people of wealthier countries who take so much for granted.

If we call God a Father and we are His children, then what is our obligation to one another? I remind my children often that it is important to share with their siblings and especially with children who are visiting with us. I also remind them that everything they call their own actually belongs to me. There really is no such thing as my room! There is only one deed or lease and I have not legally subdivided our possessions, so no one can call something their own. Perhaps it too simplistic to link Faith and Capital in this way, but in the end nothing is our own. When we die, we cannot take any possessions with us. I suggest that the burden we face as Christians is how to share with our neighbor, in spite of the country they call home.

Many “Godly” nations have gone through great expense to strengthen their borders and do not see any conflict with their statements of faith, e.g. in God we trust. We permit nearly every sin imaginable in the name of liberty and yet deny access to the very same liberty we are protecting. Who or what are we really keeping out? How do we choose to label someone a foreigner or alien? This a major challenge for those of us who profess a faith Jesus the Christ. The Apostle Paul reminded the Church at Ephesus that they “are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Can we reconcile this assertion within the body of Christ and more importantly what is our responsibility to the nations we reside in?

The Government of South Africa has labeled me as a Non-Resident, yet I reside within the country. There are limitations on what I can and cannot do. I suspect that there is good reason for these restrictions; however, the source of my anxiety is not government policies, but how the body of Christ responds to foreigners. I must confess that what I am experiencing here is even worse in the United States, but I never had to experience it there. Like other good church people I sat quietly as the Hispanic community cried out for justice. It didn’t seem like my issue. I am guilty for doing nothing to address the pain of being labeled an illegal alien. I even quietly agreed with statements such as go back to your country. Until now, I never imagined how sinful it is to ignore those who have been identified as foreigners and aliens. Father, please forgive me!

As governments debate over which countries deserve foreign aid, the members of God’s household must distribute their capital in the kingdom in which their faith resides. There should always be something left to share. Perhaps Jesus told us that we would always have the poor among us to teach us the kingdom principle of stewardship. How much more would the gospel spread if the children of the King shared what was meant to be an inheritance for all us – not just the children chosen to manage part of His estate?

On Faith and Capital: Strength in Numbers!

 Is it possible for a community of like-minded believers to really meet the needs of each other and yet still be rewarded for individual achievement? The Bible speaks of such a community in the book of Acts, chapter 4. The writer of this text was a physician and also ordained as an Apostle by Jesus (also known as the Christ). Historians cannot confirm that such a community really existed and bible scholars cannot ascertain how long such a community existed; however, in Chapters 5 and 6 there is evidence of dysfunction. One couple lies about what they received from the sale of property and the Apostles didn’t want to be bothered with serving tables. It is reasonable to assume that division of labor and transparency are critical to the success of such a community.

 Individual achievement is gratifying to the ego and is the substance of Western Capitalism. After we have exhausted our potential for individual achievement, only then is there a strong desire to join and share with a community or group.  This behavior renders the group ineffective because of the scarcity mentality and an overwhelming sense of conformity. Celebration of individual achievement is difficult and the division of labor can give a demeaning or “less than” feeling for those assigned to work for the greater good. In spite of the dysfunction, our souls crave for connectedness and a meaning for life greater than individual achievement. The result of this psyche is a type of dualism wherein we separate individual achievement from our desire to belong.

 For many groups, it is ok and preferred to limit the mission and activities to leisure or social functions. The mission and activities of the Church that the Christ established is unique in that its sole purpose is for the collective achievement of justice and mercy for all creation – the rich and the poor, believer and non-believer, young and old, nature and humanity. In other words, there is an unlimited requirement for collective achievement and mutual advancement. According to the Bible, the mission and activities of the church are impossible to accomplish without the very presence of God among the people assembled in the group as well as within the individuals in the group.

 The primary obstacle facing members of a church is having the courage to be transparent and to live a life that is both vulnerable and honorable. The natural condition of humanity is to pursue those things that are gratifying to our ego and consequently causes us to hide our true selves from others. In the Garden of Eden, God ask Adam the question, “where are you?”  Likewise God is asking the question of the church and its members, “where are you?”  To fulfill the requirement to serve God, we must begin with an atmosphere that allows people to fulfill their sense of belonging without judgment. It is in such a place that the individual can explore how they can make an individual contribution to the collective achievement of justice and mercy.

 The second obstacle and the most divisive is the division of labor. Collective work demands specialization according to the spiritual gifts, talents and experiences of the individuals. In Acts Chapter 6, the members of that Church were careful to specify the necessary requirements of the individuals to be chosen to serve food to the widows and others in need. This is a matter worth studying because in many churches and organizations, the individuals asked to serve are not given this level of consideration and consequently are often not fully appreciated.  It is also important to note that the individuals chosen were no less qualified to do the mission and activities of the church, yet they were asked to do specific tasks. In so many cases, the growth of churches is severely constrained because of unwillingness to embrace new people and new directions.

 Although it may seem like a new direction, I am convinced that the source of wealth and the Spirit of Capitalism emanates from the concept of many working as one. This fundamental principle works both in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. It is far more difficult for a self-employed person to obtain wealth than it is for a group of people working as a well-organized corporation. Yet, the overwhelming majority of small businesses are organized as one-employee corporations.  Similarly, churches can accomplish far more as a group or denomination if it is well organized and the local churches are growing. However, the data suggest that church growth is occurring largely among new independent churches, while larger, historical denominations are declining. Why is there an overwhelming urge to start over and go alone?

 I am convinced that there is still strength in numbers, but we must revisit Acts Chapter 4 and see how far we have deviated from the original mission and activities of the church. The church was never intended to be a burden to the poor and still should be a place of hope and help to those in need spiritually, financially and mentally. As we plan for the New Year, consider a weekly study of the Book of Acts to rediscover God’s plan for our collective achievement and mutual advancement.

On Faith and Capital:The Cost of Addiction!

For many years now I have witnessed people destroy God’s plan for wealth in their lives because of a lack of Faith – resulting in compulsive desires to temporarily alleviate feelings of disappointment, loneliness, or pain over criticism. For me this lack of Faith resulted in compulsive shopping, being the “Big Man” who pays the tab when no asked me to and other destructive behaviors. Like the Apostle Paul, I pray daily for God’s deliverance of the thorns in my life and can’t help but meditate on the connection between the lack of Faith and the lack of Capital.

In our society a lack of Capital can cause feelings of disappointment, loneliness, or pain over criticism. Poverty is seldom celebrated and it is difficult for many to find joy when we don’t know where our daily bread is coming from. For parents, it is a horrible feeling not being able to provide for your children and an even worse feeling not being able to care for your parents in their hour of need. To suggest that Faith in Jesus alone will fix it seems like an escape from reality. How can Faith in something I cannot know with my five senses address my physical and immediate concerns?

Every day we are compelled to spend time planning how we are going to find time, places, and opportunities to indulge in “secret” activities and if we are not careful our desires for a temporary fix can take over our life. Although we struggle with our conscience just like the Apostle Paul, the powerful force of our compulsion at times overrides our better judgment. We know we are in trouble but are too ashamed to ask for help.  This is very much like the story of Adam in the garden, when God asks the rhetorical question, “Where are you Adam?” Like Adam, if we are not obedient to God, we could find ourselves banished from the green pastures and still water that God is trying to lead us to.

This observation may seem harsh, but the reality is that our free will can cause us to self-medicate our feelings of being inadequate and unlovable by aggressive flirting with sin.  In spite of the financial, physical and emotional risks we take on a daily basis by thought, word and deed, many of us who know Christ, continue our dangerous and unfulfilling lifestyle. Like the Apostle Paul, we are experiencing an internal war between our better judgment (the Christ in us) and our carnal (worldly or sinful) compulsion. The challenge set before us, is not letting our compulsion win.

Our lack of Faith can leave us in miserable state of mind, where we can’t seem to stop. People who give into the struggle with compulsions and various addictions feel out of control, yet rarely ask for help because they feel so ashamed. They are caught in a vicious cycle. Feeling unhappy, bored or unfulfilled, they turn to sinful and unhealthy experiences, including overeating to gain temporary relief.  Since these experiences are unfulfilling, they are left feeling unhappy but now carry additional shame or guilt. These feelings of guilt and shame drive them back to the only relief they know—another brief sinful encounter—and the cycle goes around again. Christians struggling with this cycle often pray repeatedly for release. When it doesn’t come, they feel even worse. In fact, their feelings of condemnation and shame may actually drive them back to their destructive activities; since these encounters are the most potent “drug” they know to briefly alleviate these painful emotions. Most people with uncontrolled compulsions have problems with emotional intimacy. Brief sinful encounters have taken over for the deeply satisfying, but sometimes hard work, of establishing intimate peer relationships – “love of neighbor.”

One well-known addictionologist, Greg Nakken, said it well: “Addicts substitute intensity for intimacy. They substitute the intensity of a temporary, artificially induced high for the normal but longer-term effort needed to achieve true intimacy that includes knowing and being known by friends or spouses.”1 I am inclined to agree with this because in marriages, a lack of Capital results in a lack of intimacy – “No Romance without Finance.” Nevertheless Jesus offers a great resolution!

Faith in Jesus the Christ calls us to come unto him just as we are! Only Jesus is able to present us faultless with exceedingly great joy. It is my sincere prayer that even though no one has obtained a full measure that we continue to press for the joy found Jesus the Christ alone. Yes bad things will happen to good people, but Jesus is truly working everything for our eternal good. It is better to die knowing that we are loved and that we are going to better place, than to die in misery. When my traveling days in this world have come to an end, I want to be remembered for my love neighbor and that I tried to help somebody. The Capital that I hope to leave for my children’s children is the assurance that their grandfather fought the Good fight and that in the end, I won the race!

Join me today or when you have completed reading this Blog in declaring victory over the compulsions and additions in your life. We are more than conquerors!

On Faith and Capital: How much wealth is too much?

The pursuit of wealth is undeniably a good thing. Such a pursuit requires one to have the ability (Deut. 8:17-18) to earn more than they spend over a sustained period of time. Certainly there is little place for materialism in such a pursuit and a wise person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children. Even the proverbs 31 woman is applauded for her wise stewardship. So where does the perceived contradiction come from with those who believe it is a noble Christian ethic to live in poverty?

The fundamental issue lies in the heart of a person. On the one hand, the poor either lack the ability or the discipline to accumulate wealth, and yet the temptation of materialism and greed is always present. For the poor, contentment is found in an eternal perspective. It useless to be full of anxiety about matters that are beyond reach.  On the other hand, the wealthy risk the temptation of finding contentment in materialism and greed, rather than seeking contentment from that which is beyond human capacity.

In the parable of the Rich Young Ruler, Luke 18:18-23 (with the context of vss. 24-30 also), a certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone.

“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ All these I have kept since I was a boy,” the ruler said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”  Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”

Before we rush to condemn the Rich Young Ruler, many Western Christians are guilty of the same sin. We have exchanged a faith in that which is hoped for and not seen, for a faith in that which honors our pursuit of wealth. This assertion is affirmed in the popular phrase “favor is not fair,” which implies that God ignores some and blesses others and that somehow our our personal actions warrant God’s favor. Very few Christian Capitalist would actually consider relinquishing the wealth they have accumulated in exchange for something they cannot see and have no control over. Nevertheless this is what Jesus requires of us.

There is undoubtedly a paradox in God’s granting of the ability to earn wealth and his requirement to give it all away. Both claims are true and yet they cannot rationally coexist. At what point should one begin giving away their wealth and deny their God given ability to earn wealth? Alternatively, why bother pursuing wealth in the first place if the objective is to give it all away? There is no doubt that ministry requires money to meet the needs of those who lack wealth. Thus, the ultimate question for those who have been given the ability to earn wealth is how much wealth is too much?

The short answer is that there is no answer! Instead, I believe that wealth should be accumulated for the purpose of making the appropriate investments. The greater portion of investments must yield a return of capital that is greater than the reduction of wealth related to social investments and a reasonable cost of living. If there is a $100,000 opportunity to fund a ministry, then assuming a net worth of  $2,000,0000, the investor must earn a minimum rate of return of 5%. Unless there is a conscious awareness of ministry opportunities, then the likelihood of being content with materialism and greed is great.

In the parable of the Rich Young Ruler, he was presented with ultimate of ministry opportunities and he could not properly evaluate the personal or the social benefit.  Unlike many others who encountered Jesus, the rich ruler could not readily identify any personal needs that he could not obtain himself and he doesn’t seem to be concerned with any of the social concerns that Jesus cared about. Inevitably every human comes to a point where personal wealth cannot influence the outcome of situations in their life and few people have enough wealth to personally influence any social concerns.  The challenge before us is not to be blind to the opportunities God reveals to us.

In short, I agree with John Wesley (founder of the Methodist movement). “Make as much money as you can; Save as much money as you can; and Give as much money as you  can.” In the end this world will be a better place because of your willingness to listen and respond to God’s call.

On Faith and Capital: On Federal Funding

I am deeply concerned about the general lack of understanding of the separation of church and state. Any restrictrictions that limit houses of worship, seminaries, religious schools and other religious organizations to be guided by the tenets and teachings that embody the essence of their faith would break with our country’s long-standing tradition of religious freedom and provoke widespread opposition. This weekend the Washington Post published an article on “Federally Funded Charities Must Play by the Rules.”  The primary thrust of the article was a rebuke on the “bush-era” memo that allowed federally funded charities to discriminate in hiring. There are so many contradictions in the article that I was compelled to immediately write this blog. There are three basic points I want to point out for your consideration.

First, hiring practices of religious organizations are worthy of review not because of discrimination, but because Churches are generally employers of the last resort. Few people would actually choose to work full time at a church or a federally funded charity because compensation is generally well below market for comparable skills. There are generally limited opportunities for career development or promotions as these organizations are largely understaffed and have very flat organizational structures. Training is done on the job and the hours far exceed available compensation. The majority of the people “hired” is voluntary and they perceive their work as God’s work. These organizations are not actively recruiting America’s future industry leaders from the leading academic institutions. Quite the contrary, most churches, like Jesus, are recruiting former drug addicts, victims of domestic violence, widows, retired people, the handicapped, and people who are the least likely to be employed in the market place.

Second, what rules should the church play by? One does not need to list the many public corporations who have received federal funding for more than a decade and still have discriminatory hiring practices. As member of the recruiting team of Merrill Lynch, we sifted through resumes of young people who graduated from Ivy League institutions and discarded the rest (the 40 year old MBA didn’t have much of a chance). We didn’t call that discrimination; we were just looking for people that fit our culture. My experience at Morgan Stanley went even deeper; the question of what boarding school you attended was even raised. Some may argue that that academic performance was the primary criteria; however, the real issue was “fit”. Will they fit in our culture? Affirmative action policies have tried to level the playing field, but often minorities are the first fired because they just don’t fit in. Now, I think the current rule is that the burden of proof lies with the victim of discrimination, not the employer. Are these the rules the church should abide by?

The church is uniquely concerned with the personal practices of the individiuals they hire, whether clergy or lay. The most publicized is sexual immorality – adultery, fornication and homosexuality. Although the article does make any specific mention of this issue, it is worth noting that State and local laws can also protect individuals from discrimination. For example, gays and lesbians, although not yet included under federal civil rights laws, are protected in many cities by local ordinances outlawing discrimination against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation. Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and other states have passed such legislation—although some voters have sought to repeal it, with mixed results.

Local antidiscrimination laws have been used to deny funding to groups that bar members because of their sexual orientation. This was the case after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Boys Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640, 120 S.Ct. 2446, 147 L.Ed.2d 554 (2000). The Court held that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), as a private organization, had the constitutional right to bar homosexual troop leaders and members from its ranks. The Boy Scouts hailed this as an important victory, but many corporations and local governments were angered by the decision.

Major corporate sponsors withdrew their support, and school districts and city councils reviewed their relationships with the BSA. The one million Boy Scouts are organized into 19,000 local troops. Many of the troops use public schools or community centers for their meetings. In light of the court decision, a number of cities around the United States either barred the Boy Scouts from using public space or required them to pay, citing antidiscrimination ordinances and policies. In at least 39 cities, the local United Way charitable organizations withdrew funding to the BSA, again citing antidiscrimination policies. The BSA estimated in 2002 that these decisions cut local troop income by 10 to 15 percent, totaling millions of dollars.

Third, what’s really behind this discussion? Is the church causing disparity in the job market? Are the hiring practices of federally funded charities creating a hostile workplace or are they simply competing against secular non-profits who depend primarily on federally funded programs. I think it is the latter. While I appreciate secular non-profit groups, the reality is that the churches singular mission is to be a place of restoration for the alien, widow and orphan. Regardless of partisan agendas or federally funded government programs, the mission of the church doesn’t change. As for the church’s “unique” hiring practices, the Supreme Court has made it clear that the threshold of what constitutes a hostile workplace is high – it requires the plaintiff to prove that the workplace was “permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim’s employment and create an abusive working environment”. Again, because this exemption’s language mirrors that in existing law, discreet actions such as carrying a Bible to work or wearing a cross or another religious symbol in the workplace clearly would not meet the Court’s established standard. The real issue on the table is how the tax dollars of believers are used. In too many communities where property taxes are disproportionately high and the services are far below what is required, the church stands in the gap. There should be no separation of the funds used to meet the needs of our citizens and the hiring practices of churches should be celebrated!

In summary, I have worked in and with several local churches and I have also worked with some of the world’s leading corporations. The Church can contribute greatly to the hiring practices of Corporate America as well as the retention and development of marginalized employees. Rather than massive layoffs and increasingly higher employee turnover rates, local church leaders could show corporate executives how to get the most out of people and how to get them to serve in their positions as if to God in economic hard times and in abundance.  Finally, it time for the rules to change. Let’s move past talk of discrimination and focus on giving people a chance, who bring life experience and a willing heart to learn the culture of the organization and to be mentored on key life skills. We might just discover that all human life has value and is redeemable.

On Faith and Capital: Tithing still relevant?

Tithing ranks among the top three debatable subjects of the Christian Faith, yet few people are willing to be transparent about what they really believe and more importantly what they actually give. To openly disagree with the precept of tithing is tantamount to blasphemy. Likewise, denying the bodily resurrection of Jesus the Christ or denying the physical presence of the Holy Spirit are subjects we dare not debate as confessing Christians. Nevertheless, few Christians are equipped to defend our faith on CNN or to a visiting Jehovah witness (I am impressed with their boldness, but disagree with their theology). Perhaps in another Blog, I will address issues of the Trinity, but in this Blog I want to address the issue of tithing.

Allow me to begin with the facts. According to church surveys, Catholics and Protestants have generally not tithed for more than 100 years. Yes, there are the exceptional Christians that represent less the 20% of their local congregations who make every to tithe; however, more than 80% of Christians just don’t tithe.  The data suggest that the average Christian gives between $17 and $40 each Sunday or less than 3% of their gross income. The reasons for this are varied, but the economy has not proven to be as relevant as conventional wisdom suggest.

The decision to tithe is not a function of how well the Gross Domestic Product is growing or even a function of the Consumer Price Index. The decision to tithe is based primarily on faith in Scripture and trust in congregational leadership. Specific scriptures that refer to tithing were written more than 2,000 years ago and served a specific purpose in an ancient agrarian economy. In a post-modern and post-industrial society, where our income is not directly correlated to rain fall or other events of nature, it is difficult to comprehend how what we earn is a result of God’s providence. Deuteronomy 8:18 admonishes the Hebrews to remember that it was the Lord who gave the ability (or ideas) to get wealth, so that He might establish his covenant with them. Does this still apply to the Christian believer today? More importantly, does the local church administer the tithe the same way as the Hebrews of Scripture?

The predominant worldview of our post-modern culture is greatly influenced by Social Darwinism. The best athletes, performers, business owners and other social elites are entitled to higher compensation and a better quality of life. As evidenced by generations of economic policies and the current Healthcare debate, the poor are poor as a direct consequence of their actions and are not entitled to anything more than charity. Gone are the days where athletes, performers and business owners live in working class communities and the social elite believed in the Social Contract or Love of Neighbor. The post-modern worldview is in sharp contrast to the worldview of the ancient Hebrews, yet we still worshiping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

The precept of tithing is fundamentally a matter of social justice based on a critical assumption that mankind is not created equally. God did not create everyone with the same gifts and knew that everyone could possibly find themselves economically dependent on their neighbor due to life circumstances. The nightmare pursuit of life, liberty and happiness at the expense of food, housing, healthcare and family is fundamentally not Christian. Yet, few Christians found fault with the recent movie starring Will Smith, wherein the main character looses his home, his marriage and his dignity for the pursuit of “Happiness.” I am not convinced that happiness was the ultimate pursuit. I was also disappointed with the diminished portrayal of the church. Where was the restorative justice of the church that Jesus modeled? Many churches have been robbed of their ability to administer economic justice to the widow, the alien and the orphan. More importantly, the drum majors of justice who have accepted the call of the ministry are woefully under compensated -being paid to preach seriously understates that work outlined for the ancient Levites, to whom a portion of the tithe was set aside for.

A church without tithing is at best a concert hall for the entertainment of those who desire to be Christian disciples, but are more akin to the Crowds who followed Jesus in hope of a miracle. The evidence of this assertion is according to the money given on Sunday – between $17 and $40. Has your church been robbed of its economic capacity to do justice? Are you using the tithe to maintain your building or pay the mortgage instead of developing ministry? Try this exercise at your church – divide the annual giving at your church by the average number of families in attendance on your days of worship, then divide by 52. If your number is less than $40 dollars, then your church needs help immediately. If the number is higher than $40 but less than $100, then you could benefit from some additional leadership development. If your number is greater than $100, then please let me know what you are doing differently at your church.

I hope this helps!

Faith and Capital: On the Proposed Health Plan

The issues are obviously complex and many cases heated, but I want to establish a foundational framework that lies at the intersection of Faith and Capital. Now faith is the substance of things not seen, yet hoped for, while Capital is green and can be seen by all. The invisibility of faith and the glaring visibility of capital gives us a false percerption that the issue center around money. Questions like “how much will it cost?” or “who should pay for it?” really miss the point.

After reading the first section of the House version of the Bill, it became  clear to me that the real issue is the value we place on human life. Unlike “welfare-to-work” and “living wage” policies that attempt to compensate people for their labor, this Bill attempts to ensure that every human life has a “protected” right to basic health care – mental and physical. This a major departure from economic policies that have dominated the last 50 years. Not since the New Deal Era has America attempted to put a true safety net in place.

Not only does the House Bill attempt to address the uninsured, but the under insured as well. Employers will be challenged to focus on more than the bottom line, but also on the quality of life of their employees. This is really where the tension will begin. For an economy that was founded on slavery and the dehumanization of working people worldwide, this will be a major leap for employers who are still resisting minimum wages and worker safety. Quite frankly, this country has a long way to go before we are able to value people for more than what they do. Is there any life not worth saving?

Most people are shocked when we hear reports of hospitals dumping patients in alley ways or allowing people to die in waiting rooms because they do not have insurance. Nevertheless, we step over the homeless everyday. We are numb to the persistent request and on a bad day we are actually irritated. The reality is that many of the people suffer from mental illness and cannot afford their medication. It is even more difficult for Americans to understand why physically healthy people can’t get a job. We can’t see mental health disorders or wounded souls in need of clinical therapy. This is where faith helps us see that which cannot be observed with our five senses.

President Obama is doing a great job in pushing us to be a more perfect Union. America has incredible economy and leads most nations in philanthropy, but we can do better. There are no easy answers, but we need to consider our personal responsibility in meeting the basic needs of our fellow citizens. More importantly, insurance companies who offer inadequate programs with over priced premiums, will have to reconfigure their basic programs to meet the new Federal guidelines.

As for the Capital required for this Bill, I think it is important to consider the money targeted for this effort as investment in our quality of life. What good is it to have National Security and not be able to live long enough to enjoy it? The challenge put before is overwhelming, but employers will be forced to become more innovative and to do more with less. This investment in humanity cannot compromise profit maximization, but it will increase the costs of doing business. Just being a good company will not be adequate, the winners will have to become great companies.