It’s imperative that churches in general, when they minister to people in their neighborhoods, do so from a position of economic empowerment. But does this mean that the Church is supposed to be some kind of employment center? Well, maybe it does.
Not all our consumerist desires are bad. Some seem to be morally neutral—like a desire for a particular color shirt, given that one needs to wear a shirt. Other consumerist desires are actually good to have. So how do I know if a desire I have for some consumer item is good, or bad, or morally neutral?
We all need general rules of thumb to help us navigate daily decision-making. A thorough cost-benefit analysis isn’t possible for the dozens of morally relevant decisions we may face in the course of a day. But if we inevitably must rely on some rule of thumb—say, in our commercial interactions with others—what should that rule of thumb be?
I don’t think anyone can deny that the global market system has made it possible for hundreds of millions to lift themselves out of poverty. But does this mean that the market system has served the Common Good?
I think a discussion about “How much is enough?” is absolutely crucial for Christians to have. I’m convinced that no one in America today has to choose to get caught up in an unhealthy, consumerist mindset. I think we all will get caught up in addictive, consumerist behavior unless we have serious discussions about what constitutes “enough” for us, as followers of Jesus.
The Old Testament Law contains a huge amount of details about how God wanted his people to relate economically to one another—including the care God demanded for the poor and the marginalized.
The issue is income inequality. And here’s how the battle lines are drawn. One camp points to the growing income disparity in our country and contends that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong. And then there’s the alternative camp, who points out that wealth is something that can be created.
I’ve long had the feeling that we as a society lost something valuable when we moved away from the model of apprenticeship at work. But it was in a recent conversation with some United Methodist pastors that it struck me how Church revitalization will never—and has never—occurred without incorporating elements of the apprenticeship model.
The love of money devolves into Gollum-like aberration. Faithful stewardship of God’s assets entrusted to us seeds redemptive commerce and beautiful mission. When money is used well, societies are transformed, not just individuals. Narcissistic impulses morph into behaviors that point to the hope of God’s Kingdom.
Today’s leaders are called upon to achieve difficult outcomes. This demanding environment has caused organizations to look for ways to get more from their leaders and employees. Researchers are linking various theories with empowerment. There are five principles of leadership empowerment that can be gleaned from Acts 2.
Suppose that someone has a talent for entrepreneurship. They know how to start a new business that creates jobs and wealth. Could it be that the church could be liable for “spiritual malpractice” if this talent is not encouraged, nurtured, and used to reveal the kingdom of God?
In some ways money and material possessions are the most touchy of subjects for a minister or lay person to deal with, especially in a materialistic society like North America. Instead of possessing your possessions, they come to possess you. You, then, obsess about how to protect them. A Christian perspective on work affects a Christian perspective on money.
