What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-17
“If you have money, consider that perhaps the only reason God allowed it to fall into your hands was in order that you might find joy and perfection by giving it all away. It is easy enough to tell the poor to accept their poverty as God’s will when you yourself have warm clothes and plenty of food and medical care and a roof over your head and no worry about the rent. But if you want them to believe you – try to share some of their poverty and see if you can accept it as God’s will yourself.”
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in New Seeds of Contemplation (New York: New Directions, 2007) 179.
During Advent most of us will see a person on the street that looks like they need clothing, food, and maybe even medical care. For James, the half brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, our faith is dead if it is not accompanied by care for the physical needs of such people. Some might think those are strong words but as Merton keenly put it, when we “share some of their poverty” we start to see things differently, and perhaps more Christianly.
Think of the first Christmas. There was no place for a pregnant girl and her fiancée to stay so Jesus was born among animals, wrapped in rags, and laid in a manger. He shared our poverty alright, and everywhere He went, He ministered to the destitute, the hungry, and the sick. James (and Thomas Merton long after him) are trying to shake us and wake us to live like Jesus toward the poor to show we have authentic faith. When we do we find joy and perfection.
This is why we have traveled to Australia: to talk about money from God’s perspective. Today Jenni and I speak to the board of Christian Super, whose vision is “to see people living life with financial health and understanding.” Next week we spend time with their leaders and facilitate a retreat for their staff members who serve 25,000 constituents. We will explore themes from Good and Faithful: Ten Stewardship Lessons for Everyday Living.
I also have a radio interview about this book on a Christian radio station here in Sydney later today. Pick up a copy for everyone on your Christmas list if you have not already done so. Why say all this? Sure we’d appreciate your prayers. More than that, we hope you will “find joy and perfection” in resolving to use what you have to show the world you belong to Christ this Christmas. If you know someone in need, share some of their poverty and see what happens in you.