The True Measure of Wealth

How rich is rich? What is the depth and breadth of wealth? At what level of affluence do we finally reach the point of difficulty to which Jesus refers as it pertains to entering into the kingdom of Heaven? And when Jesus refers to the “hundred times” returns on our “investment” both in this life AND in the life to come, is He trying to make us a deal? In other words, is He appealing to our own sense of need in suggesting that the only way He can get us to be generous with others is by offering a reward in return for our generosity? Does Jesus not believe that we are capable of giving generously for its own sake?

This passage from Mark in the lectionary could not have come at a more appropriate time. It is no wonder that many believe that as the lectionary calendar rolls around for its own time, there was divine guidance so that the Lord could speak to us right where we are and just when we need it most.

The Amish community suffered its worst tragedy that I know of when a crazed man entered into a tiny school house in Lancaster County PA and murdered six innocent children for no reason other than that, according to a suicide note, he was angry with God for the death of his own child in 1997. There were also other sinister motives mentioned, but these have no relevance to what I would like to share. The experience was horrifying enough without trying to create more than what really happened. The bottom line is that innocent children lost their lives for no reason other than that they were children and, perhaps, pretty easy targets considering the community in which they lived.

In the end – even in the midst of evil - the world has been shown a truer portrait of what the life of faith should more closely reflect when the Amish attended the funeral of the shooter and are now actively involved in helping to raise money for the shooter’s family. There have been no public statements decrying the government or seeking to place blame on anyone or anything. The Amish community – as simply as they live their lives – is doing nothing truly extraordinary, at least according to the simple lives they choose to lead. This is what they do every single day. This is how they live. In my mind’s eye, they are the epitome of true wealth and true grace and are freely giving of each. The world, and especially the Christian world, would do well to pay attention.

Consider the context of this tragedy as it relates to another tragedy some 2000 years ago. In the midst of evil, Someone – in fact, the One who was the very target of this evil – prayed for the forgiveness of the evil doers, “for they know not what they do.”

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The rich young man approaches Jesus with a burning question and certainly an ulterior motive but walks away extremely disappointed in learning that the way of Christ is much more than simply refraining from evil acts. He also learns that as much as “not doing”, we are also called to “do” perhaps especially on behalf of the poor. As much as I have maintained that tithing is not exclusively focused on dollars and cents, I also do not think that what Jesus is referring to has as much to do with our material riches than with the condition of our hearts. And probably far more often than not, the condition of our hearts is firmly defined – if not confined – by dollars and cents.

The rich man in the story is presumed to have much material wealth, depending on the translation, and walks away from Jesus after having been told that if he wants to inherit eternal life, he must give up everything he owns on behalf of the poor and ultimately become poor himself. It is not a stand-alone deal, however. Jesus says in verse 21 that when the man gives up his worldly treasure, he will reap divine treasure. It is clear, however, that material wealth is what the man equates with material comfort – but only in this life. He is not able to see much further than his own day-to-day existence, and it is equally clear that he was seeking a simpler and personally pleasing answer than to actually make any kind of sacrifice. It would seem that the man would not have minded very much if Jesus had told him that his worldly wealth could somehow be used to purchase the eternal life he was seeking. In fact, he probably would have preferred it. I doubt, however, that the man expected that it would cost him everything he owned even in return for riches not yet seen.

But how do we define the kind of wealth that Jesus refers to as that which can hinder us from entering into the kingdom of heaven? What do we consider to be “great” wealth such as what Mark refers to? Is it not all relative? In terms of those who live below the poverty line here in the United States, I would be considered possessing of “great” wealth. We have a nice home, three cars, a motorcycle, AND good health though this cannot be measured in dollars and cents except for perhaps the health insurance we are fortunate enough to have. By relative measure, we have “great” wealth but then according to US standards and measures, we are only “middle class”. Compared to the Walton family, we are “poor”.

So whom is Jesus referring to as those who will have “difficulty” entering into the kingdom of heaven? Do I have a better shot at it than the Walton family? After all, my “riches” cannot be adequately measured according to their “riches”. My cars are not classified as “luxury”, and my motorcycle is not a Harley. And the third car we own – Chelsea’s – had over 300,000 miles on it when we bought it. So since we don’t have “great” wealth, at least compared to the Walton family, will I be measured by the same standard since we don’t share similar standards of wealth?

You bet I will, and so will anyone else; even the Amish. Because I believe Jesus is talking about more than just material possessions, our standard of measure cannot be relative to others because we will not be judged according to the standards of others. Yet the Amish, who seem to care very little for the trappings of this life and appear to have little – at least according to our societal standards – are giving much more than our own society would expect of them especially in the face of such evil.

It may seem simple enough to us. After all, the shooter’s wife and children had nothing to do with this man going off the deep end. And in the face of it all, the Amish have more to be bitter about than what is evident. Yet their seemingly few material possessions and intentionally simplistic lifestyle directed more toward focus on the Lord and His will has enabled them to respond in such a way that is completely foreign to our culture. Then again, the Amish intentionally distance themselves from our culture, don’t they?

It would appear to me that in terms of true wealth, the Amish have us all beat hands down. They have great wealth and are not afraid to use it.