Campus CrossWalk Magazine: 2005 Summer Issue -- Getting Rich Together

: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” The Apostle Paul (I Timothy 6:17-18)

Are you rich? Take a moment and count your blessings. Seriously, do it now. I’ll wait . . .

I ask again, are you rich? Do you have family, friends, or a loving church for which you are thankful? Do you claim the assurance of eternal life with Jesus Christ? In light of the verse above, where have you placed your hope?

We do not have a permanent home here on earth. We look ahead to “the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14) and long to bring as many friends as we can to that city. We anticipate our new home eagerly. We stay in constant contact with the heavenly Architect and Contractor who is preparing that home for us. What a big heavenly housewarming party that will be.

This eager anticipation for our heavenly home must not hinder our work here and now. We are not called to lay around dreaming of heaven. And what is our work? It is to do good and to share with others, according to Paul‘s advice above. This pleases God.

The apostle James wrote candidly, in James 4:17, “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” There it is, plain and simple. It is our function in this life to be of service to others. In fact, it is our purpose. Listen again to Paul, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Once you realize that your God-given purpose is to do good works you will feel bound to act upon that purpose. “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit… Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7: 17, 19)

When others look at your fruit, what kind of tree do they see? You may try to define yourself one way, but others are not just listening; they are watching. While we worry about whether or not our car is trendy or luxurious enough to impress our friends and co-workers, they are watching us max out our credit cards and listening to us complain about never having enough time for our kids. We are cultivating one image with outward appearances while cementing an opposite image in the minds of others through our words and actions.

Your actions define who you truly are more than do your intentions to be a certain kind of person. Actions are what can be observed; actions are what people respond to. Living in solitary confinement you cannot truly be yourself because it is within your community that your self is authenticated for all to see and acknowledge. Your true self is defined each time you act within your community be it dorm room, classroom, or church. Who you are is shaped through interaction with others. Your primary interaction should be with Jesus Christ. Loving and following him will define you for real and for good--good works, that is.

When we became Christians we put on Christ. We were clothed in Christ. What if that Christ-clothing were something visible? Consider how you feel when you wear a new coat for the first time. I can recall my first leather jacket. Its weight felt distinctive on my shoulders. The smell of the leather would surround me as I walked from place to place. Catching a glimpse of myself in a window or glass doorway would make me take a second look. If only we could wear Christ as consciously as we wear a new coat.

In a way, we can. Think of your Christ-clothes as real acts of kindness, generosity and service. Those are the clothes that truly define you. And they are on loan from our Lord who wants us to wear them out! There’s plenty more where they came from.

After September 11th, many Americans were willing to offer service and support to each other. The crisis made our nation more compassionate. We valued each other and longed to help. Eventually, we lapsed back into a more self-centered way of living. We lost some connections with people and reverted back to our old ways. Will it take another crisis to recover our active hearts of compassion? Aren’t our relationships as valuable now to us as ever?

When we begin to make conscious decisions to be of service, to be full of good works, then we will find ourselves changed in many positive ways. God knows that through giving of ourselves we actually get so much in return--physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Everything God commands us to do has fringe benefits. Faith is the ultimate win-win scenario.

Do I have practical suggestions? I thought you would never ask! Here are a dozen, for starters:

: 1. Use your trusty church bulletin for all it‘s worth. Reply to the requests for help, send notes to those on the prayer list, volunteer to help in the nursery or teach a class, etc.; 2. Your local newspaper will have a section that lists organizations in need of help. Donate supplies and money, or volunteer your time.; 3. Help out with a literacy program--volunteer to read to children or the visually impaired. Volunteer to tutor students at a local school.; 4. Help with house or yard work for someone who is physically unable to do it.; 5. Assist with childcare or errands for a new mom.; 6. Offer transportation to someone who needs to go to church or the grocery store.; 7. Donate time at the local food bank or give items for families in need.; 8. Answer phones at a crisis center.; 9. Organize a group of friends to hold a “free” yard sale, giving the items away to families in need (give small Bibles away with the yard sale items).; 10. Gather items such as toiletries or school supplies and send them to missionaries to be distributed as needed.; 11. Sign up to read and answer World Bible School lessons.; 12. Contact Dr. Wharton of the Russian Ukrainian Ministry to donate funds to feed school children (RussianUkrainianMin@excite.com) and support Vacation Bible Schools and indigenous congregations.

These are just a few suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. Knowing where your own talents lie, make a conscious decision to use them. The Bible, common sense and scientific studies all concur that offering service and support to others, not just in times of crisis, will help you lower your stress, strengthen your immune system, prevent depression and increase your longevity. Plus, you will be storing up treasures in heaven and helping others to come with you when that day arrives. God knows we all benefit from having a purpose to do good works. And we all get “rich” together.

: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Lee Burdett is an alumnus of the Auburn Christian Student Center’s campus ministry (Auburn University), and the Meridian Woods church of Christ campus ministry (Florida State University) where she met her husband. They helped to establish a campus minister in Gainesville, FL with University City church of Christ. She lives (surviving hurricanes) in Altamonte Springs, FL, and enjoys her two children.