“The bigger house, the higher salary and the comfortable retirement are poor substitutes for the Bible’s idea of peace and prosperity: shalom. Rather than defining prosperity as many Christians typically do in terms of personal affluence and professional success, shalom is a far richer sort of prosperity that encompasses every dimension of life. Perhaps most importantly, shalom measures material abundance in terms of a community’s ability to flourish as a whole, not just as individuals.
One of the Old Testament’s clearest illustrations of what true prosperity looks like can be found in a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah. Remarkably, this letter was written to a group of Jewish exiles who were anything but prosperous. Their homeland had just been destroyed, and they—along with all their material resources and possessions—had been carried off into captivity in Babylon. Nevertheless, it was in the midst of this economic disaster that God wanted to teach his people how to achieve true peace and prosperity.
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7)
To the utter shock and dismay of the exiles, Jeremiah told God’s people that their personal peace and prosperity would come as the fruit of absolute service to others. They were supposed to seek the peace of the city that had destroyed Jerusalem, “the city of peace.” They would prosper only if they spent their energy and prayer seeking peace and prosperity for those who had robbed and oppressed them. In this sense Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles foreshadows the radical teaching of Jesus, who called his followers to seek their own welfare—and in essence the very kingdom of God—by seeking the peace and prosperity of others here on earth.
Jesus even told his disciples to be generous to those who steal from us (Luke 6:29-30) and to pray for those who curse and mistreat us (Luke 6:28). This was precisely what Jeremiah told the exiles to do in Babylon. By seeking the peace and material well-being of their oppressors and praying for their enemies, they actually would be establishing the kingdom of God in the heart of Babylon (Matthew 5:14-16; cf. Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 51:4). Likewise, as Christians, whom the New Testament calls exiles and “strangers in the world” (1 Peter 2:11), we are to seek first God’s kingdom, not by seeking personal peace and prosperity for ourselves but by seeking the welfare and shalom of the communities in which we live (1 Peter 2:12).”
Justin Borger in “Personal Peace and Prosperity” on Generous Giving website.
Why is my mind orbiting around ideas like Borger’s linked to generosity and peace while an exile or stranger in this world? I can think of at least three reasons on this Lord’s day.
(1) I just finished teaching my summer school class and shared a resource with my students that is a must-view video series, “For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exiles” produced by my friends at the Acton Institute. Check it out! It’s a great tool for your personal growth, your family, or a small group study.
(2) The Peacemaker Conference is slated for September 25-27, 2014 in Colorado Springs, and I have been invited to serve as one of the speakers. If you want to hear what I am learning about shalom and what that has to do with topics like reconciliation and generosity, register for the conference on their website today.
(3) I am praying today for the peace of Chicago. My brother lives in the north suburbs and last night I got to go to Wrigley Field with him, Linnea Smith of Alpha Chicago, and her close friend Jim. Thanks Linnea for sharing the tickets that God provided to you! What was so ironic was that Jim and Linnea asked, “So this is your first time to Wrigley?” I answered, “Yes!” To which they replied, “so what other MLB teams have you yet to visit at home.” I flipped through the standings on my iPhone and realized…this was my 30th out of 30 MLB team ballparks in my lifetime! This fan was surprised by joy to realize the gift I had received! After a great visit over a Cubs helmet full of nachos during the rain delay we enjoyed a peaceful night at my dear friend Dan Busby’s favorite green cathedral. May God continue to bless the work of David’s hands at Trinity, Linnea at Alpha Chicago, and Jim at his lighting business! And may someday a World Series banner fly at Wrigley.
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