Name it, Claim it, Poverty Gospel

• Tweet
• Pin It

I am nearly POSITIVE that you’ve read books by the likes of David Platt, Francis Chan, and/or John Piper. These books have caused a radical shift in the thinking of some Christians and have caused some extreme behavior. Many of these books suggest selling all of your belongings to help those in need. This has become known in Christian circles as “the poverty gospel.”

Is the poverty gospel biblical?

That is the most important question… and I know many of you will immediately turn to verses were Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions and follow Him. Or maybe the verse in Matthew 19 that says, “if you want to be perfect, go sell all of your possessions, give to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven.”

Well, there’s the answer. You would think poverty gospel is biblical.

Let’s be clear here: those verses are directed towards people that have strong ties to their material possessions… and would rather die than give up everything they’ve worked so hard for.  If you are reading this and you’re thinking about all the crap you’ve accumulated in your home or apartment, then maybe you do need to sell some of it and help out your Christian brother who is hurting. I support that 100%. To the majority of us, however, I do not think we are that tied to our things. I think you should be praising God for everything that He has given you.

God has called some people to sell everything and go join the mission field. If that is your calling, then by all means go for it, and I am praying for you. (Side note: I know many organizations. If you are interested in doing missions let me know I would LOVE to help.) But this isn’t for them.

This is directed at the young single men who are living in a 1 bedroom apartment with 5 guys playing video games all day… and not working… and thinking that you are honoring God somehow.  Or the 30 year old man living in his parents’ basement enjoying being supported by them and claiming the beatitude, blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of God.

I understand that things happen. You are forced to move in with a roommate. Or with your parents after college. The economy is tough and finding a job is even tougher. If that’s you, maybe it’s a good time to look into going on missions or spending two years at seminary.  God will honor you if you are willing to work hard and if you take any job that He provides to you.

I apologize if this sounded like a rant… but I am tired of people reading books like Radical or Crazy Love and then deciding that they need to sell their car, and only because having it pushes them into the top 1% of the wealthiest people on earth.  Then they realize that they needed the car to get to work. And then they get fired… and through all of it they think they’re honoring God somehow.

Personally, I see that as being a terrible steward of your resources. Go read the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and see what Jesus said about not being responsible with the resources that He has freely given you.

In my next post: I want to show you biblically how God wants to bless you and multiply your resources… if you will trust Him.

(And no, I am not going to talk about the prosperity gospel.)

Related Posts

• 

  Christian Shoddy is Still Shoddy
  Christian Shoddy is Still Shoddy
• 

  We Are Not Hoodlums.
  We Are Not Hoodlums.
• 

  Of Hobbits and Angels
  Of Hobbits and Angels
• 

  Rags to Riches and Back to Rags Again
  Rags to Riches and Back to Rags Again