I currently have two backpacks and a purse. Being on the World Race requires you to live with very few items; however, being in Malawi has shown me just how far I really am from living minimally.
I have more things in my backpack than some families have altogether. I have more clothing items with me (which really aren’t very many) than most people have ever had. I remember the children’s names based on their outfits, because they wear the same ones every single day. And many of these clothes are filled with holes and stains.
I have more shoes with me (1 pair of chacos, 2 pairs of flip flops, and tennis shoes) than entire families have. Most children walk around barefoot and have probably never owned a pair of shoes. They don’t know how uncommon that is in America.
My first reaction was to feel sorry for these families. To look at what they have and immediately consider what I could buy them. On our first day with our ministry host, Pastor Anton, he set the standard of our thinking. He explained that many Americans feel sorry for the things the African people don’t have, but that is not how we should feel. They live happy lives, and why should we want to ruin that with more “stuff?”
Take a minute for that to sink in…
I recently read a book by Francis Chan called “Crazy Love” (please read it if you haven’t). In the book he talks about the story of the rich young man (Mark 10:17-31). In this passage Jesus says, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (Verse 23). I read this verse smiling because I am certainly not considered a part of the upper class in America, seeing as I have no job and am making no money right now, so I’m safe from this concept of being too wealthy, right? Wrong! Francis Chan explains this concept in his book by saying:
Which is more messed up – that we have so much compared to everyone else [I make more than $2 a day], or that we don’t think we’re rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves ‘broke’ or ‘poor’? We are neither of those things. We are rich. Filthy rich (Chan 89).
Jesus warns us that we are going to have a much more difficult time really becoming saved than the people I am living among. They have a better chance of going to heaven than we do. Not because God favors them, but because we place wealth on a pedestal. Think about it! How often do you say, “I need a new pair of jeans” when you already have 2 or 3 pair that are perfectly fine? I know I said that only months before coming on the race! How many pairs of shoes do you have? Where I am now they own zero or one pair. How many of us would consider someone an absolute lunatic if they chose to give a guest all the food and drink they had just to make them feel welcomed? I would! We all would! And yet that is exactly the treatment my team and I have been receiving in Africa.
I live a rich life compared to the rest of the world, and I live it selfishly. Do not take what the Bible says for granted…We need to consider the fact that getting into heaven, really trusting God with our entire lives and every aspect of our lives, is going to be difficult because we don’t necessarily have to trust Him for the essentials. We have financial stability compared to the rest of the world.
I don’t think that we’re supposed to feel guilty about the fact that we are from America and are considered “rich” to the rest of the world. And I don’t feel guilty about this. I believe God has blessed me with what I have been given, and I believe He has done that for a reason. I believe this is a warning about making money and possessions an idol. With every idol that we have, we are putting God at less of an importance in our lives.
God has chosen to bless me with more than most, so in return, I will use what He has blessed me with to further His kingdom and bless those that I meet. I will not be overcome by sin. I will be one of the “wealthy” people that truly do follow Christ and I will use the “wealth” I have been given the way Jesus would use it.
God is teaching me to reconsider what is essential to my survival. And He is teaching me to consider all the possibilities of where my money could go. I cannot live my life lukewarm for Christ. I have to give everything over to Him and wholeheartedly trust Him.
Financial Update: I still need to have $2,123 by October 1. Please pray for God to bless me by allowing me to stay.
Prayer Update: Pray for churches here in Malawi. Every church we have gone to is in need. Many do not have floors or seats. Also pray for fund to bring the people Bibles! We were able to share the Gospel in an unreached village this week where several came to know Christ. Unfortunately, many do not have Bibles and Timothy Harvest Ministries does not have enough finances to buy Bibles in Chichewa for everyone. Also, there are so many children here without shoes and clothing. Pray for these items to be provided for them.
