It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Mark 10:25
“Early Christians, both the biblical writers and the patristic authors, operated within a socioeconomic framework in which wealth was predominantly associated with accumulation and consumption rather than production (creation) and investment. Therefore, their concern was more about attitude toward and use and distribution of wealth within the conceptual world of limited goods and a subsistence economy.
The contextual and structural distance of our modern context — where we take productive capital and wealth creation for granted (at least in the industrialized parts of the world) — helps us relate to the early Christian perspectives on wealth consumption and distribution better (or more directly) than to those on wealth creation and productive capital, though without dismissing the latter as irrelevant, outdated, or unauthoritative.
Obviously these issues of attitude, use, and distribution of wealth do matter for Christians today (as well as creation and investment of wealth). Our attitudes (understanding of ownership, stewardship, attachment, or detachment) govern our use and lifestyle (conspicuous consumption, miserliness, simple living, or generous giving) and distribution (hoarding or sharing; justice and equity).
At the same time, our individual and collective use of wealth impacts distribution of wealth in personal choices and public (social, economic, and political) policies. This triad should lead us to consider questions of how wealth and property are produced and acquired in light of patristic teachings on the common good.”
Helen Rhee in Loving the Poor, Saving the Rich: Wealth, Poverty, and Early Christian Formation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012) 192-193.
Rhee is among the list of attendees at the Global Generosity Roundtable today in Orange County, California. If we extrapolate this simple statement it helps us navigate the difficult issue of relating to riches: “Our attitudes… govern our use and lifestyle… and distribution.” Put simply, Christians must produce, use, and distribute riches in a manner that is different from the world.
If we follow the cultural norms our behavior will spiral downward into self-indulgence, hoarding, and the trampling of others. Alternatively, if we map distinctly Christian attitudes for use, lifestyle, and distribution, then perhaps through the strategies that we implement, we can see a revival in simplicity, generosity, and equity for God’s glory. Make it so, Lord Jesus!