“That’s great if you’re called to it. And I’m glad you are!” As a pastor serving in the heart of the nation’s most segregated city and the 5th most impoverished, I hear these comments often. And it’s made me wonder, is living among under resourced people something God only calls a few Christians to do?
In American culture, it is assumed that we will pursue our dreams. Two of the most influential ways we chase our dreams is by deciding where we will live and work. Are you aware of the framework that
influenced you to make those choices? What are the most important factors
to you when deciding where to live?
Affordability? Resale value?
Safety? Access to freeways?
A place you can grow into?
How
about where you work? What influenced you most to take your current job
or pursue the career path you’re on? Salary? Work/life balance? Opportunity to advance? Utilizing your education, training, or
skills? An opportunity to make a difference in this world?
All
of those are good factors to consider. But are those the only factors we
should consider? Are they even the primary ones? Does the Bible provide any other values for
us to consider? I believe it does.
In
American culture, it is assumed that we will pursue our dreams. When
making these decisions, then, we value comfort.
Security. Wealth.
Power. Respect. None of that is bad. It can all be good. But are those the values that best define
Jesus’ lifestyle? And whose life is the church supposed to emulate?
If we
are more influenced by American values than biblical values when deciding where
to live and work, and if we invest most of our time and energy into those
spaces, then what kingdom are we going to be most likely to experience?
Which kingdom’s values are going to most shape our lives?
Could
this contribute to some of the recurring issues many Christians face?
Such as excessive debt?
Exhaustion? Loneliness?
I am
not suggesting that everyone should live in the most depressed, dangerous
neighborhood they can find. I am also not advocating that people should
choose jobs where they will be taken advantage of and disrespected.
However, I am suggesting that we bring the gospel to bear on the
decisions we make that will most influence our lives - where we live and where
we work.
I do
not believe that we can faithfully or fully follow Jesus if we assume that we
should always take the best deal for ourselves. Sometimes we ought to
take what will be a better deal for someone else. Including where we choose to live and
work. It seems biblical for Christians
to prayerfully consider if God is calling them to live and work among those
that society overlooks. Perhaps God intends to build His Kingdom among
those who can’t pay us back?
Jesus
did not pursue comfort or safety, respect or power. In fact, in order for
Him to fulfill God’s mission, He had to sacrifice everything He preferred.
He didn’t simply settle for a lower quality of life - He laid down His
life - so that through faith in Him - we could have life. Since His
Spirit lives in our hearts through faith, He can empower us to engage His world
with His love. And when we do this, our
hearts will be most satisfied and His Name will be most glorified.
