Michael Schut: Worldview and Simplicity

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You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Revelation 3:17-18

“Worldview essentially provides us with a way of understanding and organizing our lives and making sense of the larger world… Our worldviews are constructed for us by the particular family, religious institution, and culture in which we live. In other words, our worldviews are inherited… Our worldviews also significantly influence our attitudes toward simplicity and the connotations the word brings to mind.

For example, those a attending a church emphasizing wealth (and often conspicuous consumption) as a sign of “God’s blessing” might look at simplicity, at best, a curious phenomenon if not a threatening absurdity. For those attending a church emphasizing God’s justice and love and Christ’s life of service on behalf of the poor, a move toward simplicity might seem an act of solidarity and an expression of compassion. Others may perceive simplicity as forced asceticism, a necessary path required by a demanding, punishing God. Finally, some may perceive simplicity as a move toward greater freedom and a grateful response to the beauty and mystery of God-given life.

No matter the view, to the extent that the church has been co-opted by the “American dream of success,” a move toward simplicity will require not only swimming against the materialism of our society, but also against the simplicity, if not explicit, message of many of our churches.”

Michael Schut in “Worldview as Inheritance” in Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective, ed. Michael Schut (New York: Morehouse, 2008) 191-193.

The ECFA Church Excel advisory board has learned that we cannot expect churches to welcome free resources for strengthening church administration or for enhancing facets of financial stewardship. Why? The worldview they inherited often shapes how they see and do things and may even prohibit necessary change.

Most are content with the status quo which has often been determined by historical tradition rather than biblical truths, and consequently, their inherited worldview and practices actually serve to inhibit their flourishing. Most only change when forced to, often as a result of a crisis.

Today’s Scripture highlights the letter to the church in Laodicea. Over time, their view of money had become just like the world. They were the wrong kind of rich, and Christ counseled them to shape up! This  aserves as wake-up call for that church (and churches like it) to get their view of material and spiritual wealth straight.

In today’s post, Schut cites examples of churches with different views and how that influences their view of simplicity, and may actually be what keeps them from living it out biblically and Christianly. What’s my point? With Schut I want to alert churches to assess if they have become like the world rather than the Word.

To this end, I urge all churches to subscribe to free Church Excel resources and larger churches to apply for ECFA certification. Why? When we collectively follow standards of responsible stewardship aligned with biblical rather than inherited worldviews, we preserve God’s honor and we help our fellowships flourish.

And, more importantly, we prepare to give an account for our stewardship. When I fly home from Indianapolis later today, and look down on the earth below, I will have a profound picture of reality. Christ is watching us to see whether our actions will match the inherited notions of society or the Scriptures.