“If we do not treasure earthly goods we must be prepared to be treated as more or less crazy. This is also true if we escape the delusions of respectability and so are not governable by the opinions of those around us, even though we respect them in love…The one who takes on the character of the Prince of Life will not be exempted from the usual problems of life, and in addition will have the problems that come from “not fitting in” and being incapable of conforming to the world order, new or old…Accordingly, when we speak of freedom from dependency on reputation and material wealth, we are not suggesting an easy triumphalism.
Indeed, there will be times when we have no friends or wealth to be free from dependence upon. And that, of course, is precisely the point. In such a case we will be undisturbed. Life is hard in this world, and also for disciples of Jesus. In his “Commencement Address,” as we should perhaps call John 14–16, Jesus tells his distressed friends plainly, “In the world (kosmou) you will have trouble.” This is not denied but transcended when he adds, “Cheer up! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “Many are the afflictions of the righteous,” the psalmist discovered long ago, “but the Lord delivers from them all” (Psalm 34:19).”
Dallas Willard in Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God (New York: Harper Collins, 1998) 213-214.
In Divine Conspiracy, Willard expounds on the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In chapter six of this classic, “Investing in the Heavens: Escaping the Deceptions of Reputation and Wealth,” he concludes with the comments recounted above. They contain priceless encouragement for us.
Basically he explains that obedience to Christ will lead many to think we are crazy and will lead us to no longer fit in. Additionally, he reminds us that though life in this world is hard and will be filled with troubles, we can be of good cheer because we are aligned with the One who has overcome the world.
More than a decade ago in Long Beach, California, I visited with Dallas Willard at a conference reception for about 30 minutes. In our discussion I asked for advice on teaching on stewardship and generosity in seminaries. He replied, “That’s probably one of the most important topics to teach because our world is filled with lies about it.”
He continued, “On my drive this morning from Los Angeles, I noticed billboards proclaimed lies about what to value, where to find security, and how to find happiness. You need to help students understand that Jesus wants them to grasp life in Him while also teaching them how to rightly relate to and use material things.” Then he pointed me to chapters like this one. Thanks Dallas!