Economics.
“All these [commandments] I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
~ Mt 19:20-24
My friend Kevin and I hiked up to our favorite outlook in the entire Blue Ridge yesterday—MacRae’s Peak—part of the Grandfather Mountain ridge of peaks, and the weather was flawless. On the drive up, Kevin happened to mention how they have 4 old cars at the moment (with two driving teenagers) and have been through even more cars over the last couple years. What caught my attention, however, was how, when they had an extra old car, they simply gave it away to someone who needed it. For me, this is a primo example of Contemplative Economics.
I will actually teach on this topic tomorrow in our SOUL-2 gathering. I doubt it’s a phrase you’ve heard before, but it describes a way of relating to money and possessions that is in alignment with the economic values of Jesus… and almost incomprehensible to our typical human economic values. You can go to church your entire life, and you may never hear a single word about the economics of Jesus (except when it comes to tithing, a topic Jesus never addressed directly and which is self-serving to the church).
So what are the economics of Jesus, and what do they have to do with us 2000 years later? As I read the “red letters,” here’s what I see. I’m curious what you see.
Trustworthy power (spiritual or otherwise) only arises out of deep humility, suffering, and solidarity with the weak. Jesus continually challenges those with social or political power, declares “the last to be first,” and resists all efforts to elevate himself.
Financial need, not financial wealth elicits Jesus’ respect. Just about every word out of his mouth on the subject of money is a warning about its corrosive influence and impediment to the life of the kingdom. I don’t imagine that any of us would refer to ourselves as being rich, but of course we are. In Jesus’ day, almost every one of us would all be in the top 1%.
Jesus admonished us to abandon the deceitfulness of Mammon, to live simply, and to engage a radical trust in God’s ability and willingness to provide for all of our human needs. It was the hoarder of Luke 12 that Jesus called a “fool”; today we call this “wealth management.”
The economics of Jesus call us to a lifestyle of generosity and hospitality—hallmarks of God’s world and God’s ways. It is when we are unattached to our possessions that we can share gratefully and generously with those in need, knowing that God sees all and will provide all we need. Even when we give away a car only to have our other car break! Eh, Kevin?
Contemplative economics fly directly in the face of normal, human common sense—Do you feel that? The world Jesus represents is completely upside-down in its values compared to America. Or, generally speaking, the American church. Jesus leads us to advocate for the poor and powerless, to disregard the politics of Caesar, to choose the counterintuitive way of servanthood. Is that what your life looks like? Or mine? Let’s keep reminding one another what it means to call ourselves followers of Jesus!
growing your soul
Power, money, trust, generosity—which one invites some prayerful attention in your heart today?
serving our world
Where will the economics of Jesus help you be more compassionate with those in genuine need?
takeaway
Give. Trust.