And [Jesus] told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21
“In The Progress Paradox, Gregg Easterbrook uses parameters like healthcare, options, living space per person, and mobility to conclude that we who live middle-class lives in North America or Europe are living a lifestyle that is, materially speaking, “better than 99 percent of all the people who have ever lived in human history.”
He goes on to show the great paradox of our material wealth. As our lives have grown more comfortable, more affluent, and fielled with more possessions, “depression in the Western nations has increased ten times.” Why? Easterbrook cites Martin Seligman, past president of the American Psychological Association, who identifies rampant individualism (viewing everything through the “I,” which inevitably leads to loneliness) and runaway consumerism (thinking that owning more will make us happy and then being disappointed when it fails to deliver).
Like the rich farmer in Luke’s parable, excessive individualism and rampant consumerism distracts us from the care of our souls. We enlarge on the outside and shrivel on the inside, and we find ourselves spiritually bankrupt.
If any characteristic of North American society might disqualify us from effective involvement in mission in our globalized world, it is the relentless pursuit of the so-called American dream. (I think it affects Canadians too.) The belief that each successive generation will do better economically than the preceding one leads to exaggerated expectations of life and feelings of entitlement. If my worldview dictates that a happy and successful life is my right, I will run away from the sacrifices needed to be a genuine participant in the global mission of God.”
Paul Borthwick in Western Christians in Global Mission: What’s the Role of the North American Church? (Downers Grove: IVP, 2012) 145-146.
The GTP meetings are going well in Cape Town. Thanks for your continued prayers.
Whilst I’ve been traveling, I’ve corresponded with a number of Americans who want to engage with the work GTP is doing abroad. That led me to read a chapter in Borthwick’s book.
As inflation rises, the stock market sinks, and people ask what God desires of them, I offer one word: sacrifice.
This requires each of us to identify the cultural trappings and turn from excessive individualism and rampant consumerism and instead to choose intentional community and generous stewardship.
Sadly, however, for most like the rich fool, their God is comfort rather than Christ.
Need help to get perspective? My wife, Jenni, who serves as a spiritual director, recommends an app which I started using: Lectio 365. Check it out to attune to God rather than the noise in our culture.
Beyond that, ask the Holy Spirit what it might look like for you to sacrifice and engage in global mission.