The bible speaks countless times of the “goodness of God”. But after being here just a short time I can see in the west we don’t really understand this. Why do I say this? Because we don’t express any gratitude. We have to wait until something miraculous happens, and then, and only then, might be give a few small claps, from the comfort of our padding seats in a nice warm church (sorry those who meet in older churches, with blankets), with a great sound system, talented musicians, a strong leadership team, and wealth of finances.
Maybe I’m being unfair, if I reflect on myself I incredibly grateful for the opportunities, people and circumstances that I’ve been placed in and around – I just don’t tend to talk about it. Why? Because I think it will upset those who are in difficult situations? Or because I think others haven’t had such a good experience? Or because people will think I’m gloating, or being prideful? Yes, all of those (and I’m sure you could add more).
We tend to be focused on what we don’t have in the west, rather than what we do have, as they are here in a developing nation. We fixate on what we feel God hasn’t delivered on, rather than celebrate what He has. Here I think they are a lot better at the opposite. They seem a lot more grateful for what they have and whats around them.
I think there are two reasons for that, the first, I will explore below, the second, I will look at in a future post.
The Mask of Wealth
The mask of wealth is what Jesus could have been talking about when says to his disciples that it’s harder for a rich man to enter heaven. Wealth tends to blind us to things. When we have little, we need a lot. When we have a great need, and no way of providing it ourselves, we find it easier to turn to God, who can (and promises to) provide for all our needs (needs, not wants). But when we have wealth, we have the ability to provide for most of our physical needs in our own strength. Hence we don’t lean on God for those needs, and are less aware of the provision he gives us (through the wealth we have been given, for we are only stewards of all that He has given).
The result, we loose sight of who really provides for our needs, because, as God often does, He works through us to provide for our needs.
