Monday, January 24, 2005
Going through the eye of the needle--Guest Post
[The following was written by a friend in response to my exchanges with Ray from Sacking Rome. The author wishes to remain anonymous, which I support. You can take my word that he is what he says he is.]
Speaking from the standpoint of one who has wealth and did not earn it on my own, I must say that wealth has its advantages.
Working three summers at a Bible Camp for free. Donating money so campers could each have their own Bible to take home if they wished. Paying for my own degrees so someone more needful could have a scholarship, supporting missionaries at home and abroad.
Yes, with wealth and training in finance (or often common sense), one can take his talents and invest them, multiplying them for the Master. One can deploy capital for good or ill, and the more resources a Christian controls on behalf of his Lord, the more of the world's resources can be applied to the Lord's work.
And yes, I have primarily self funded a for-profit business with my inherited assets...and should it succeed, the co-founders wish to return to the Lord the first fruits of success. I believe that God wants us to be in all areas of life as we are an ambassador to this world. Sometimes, this places one in a position that will allow the accrual of capital.
Hypothetically: if our software should sell to someone in the drug trafficking trade, (say the software sold for $1000 with $840 profit), and 20% of the profit is returned to shareholders in a dividend of $168, of which the co-founders have a right to 60% ($100.80), and one of them donates 2% of their income each year to a Christian based drug rehab center ($1.008), then money was just taken from the enemy, and given to a place designed to counter the enemy.
If the wealthiest in the world were Christian, imagine what could be done. If my hypothetical moved 5 million units...that's over $5 million to combat drug use. Think of how much of the world's wealth could be taken from those trying to accomplish evil and then redistributed to those that are working on the front line for God if more corporations and leading income earners were committed to Christ! In macro economics, it is one huge flow of cash going on around the world, and the more Godly participants there are choosing to buy from socially responsible companies when possible, and donating their blessings to those that put it to the Lord's work. If more Christians take themselves out of that cycle of either spending that cash in direct ministry (a missionary) or creating wealth for themselves that can be given to that mission, then one can see how the church grows less wealthy and a mission can die. Wealth in the church (not the Roman inspired organized "church", but among the people of God) is not a bad thing.
I am convinced that God wants us to use wealth for His purpose, and that it is fully logical for Christians to have wealth, and know that they "possess" the wealth to do the Master's bidding. It is logical that the Master will give wealth to those who are able to bear the responsibility. To whom much is given, much is expected.
If God didn't want to use money, we would not be expected to tithe. He wants us to have money, and he wants us to grow money (parable of the talents) and he wants us to bless his Kingdom in the disposition of assets. After all, even $1000 in one's bank account at death is a $1000 more than one needed to live. Hopefully most of one's excess wealth was given to family members and charities that will see to it that your surplus in death can be used to advance the Kingdom of God. He who dies with the most toys still DIES! Understand that (coupled with the Life given through the Savior) and one can grow wealthy and do so with a clean heart. A sound moral compass, led by the Spirit, will guide purchasing decisions, investment decisions, gifting and estate planning decisions for the glory of God.
Money is a means to an end. Not a prize to acquire. You can't spend it in the life to come, and having money in your hands in death does not buy a seat any closer to God than an orphan that died in a sweat shop.
If you have the brains and heart to acquire and grow wealth, I challenge you to have the heart to dispose of it (in spending, giving, and in estate planning) in the same tenacious (and hopefully judicious) manner that was used to acquire it. Hopefully to help more orphans (following my analogy) to hear the Gospel and have a seat with God in His Kingdom. Forget position and rank.
Your rewards in heaven are promised...And that grace is sufficient. Your treasure in heaven is not based on how much you acquired or gave, or how close your tomb is to a Cathedral's altar; it is not based on the sacrifice or acquisition of wealth. It is based on whether you heard God's call, and served your fellow man in the manner in which you were called. Hearing that call and acknowledging the call in the face of opposition and adversity is what courage is all about. You could be called to give away all your wealth. You could be called to acquire wealth and then endow a charity like World Vision or the Salvation Army (brought to new life and a higher calling by the increase in value of McDonald's shares and the follow on donation of the founder's widow).
Whatever your call, make sure that you execute with all your heart. "Well done" is all the reward you should expect from your Master, and thankfulness for His mercy and eternal life is what you should give Him. Any more than that is the Blessing that flows from a good Father and King. Be thankful, and be gracious with what is given when it is not deserved.
