These Are Your Gods...

One way to tell what people's idols are is by how they treat people who don't have the things they idolize. It's a no-brainer that our culture idolizes money, material things, and pleasure. What many Christians don't realize is that these idols are embraced by God's people. My stint as a poor person has been an eye-opener. In the middle and upper echelons of God's Kingdom, it is almost an unforgiveable sin to be poor. Notice how activities in middle and upper class churches are geared towards people with money: catered dinners, gift exchanges, seminars and conferences with hefty price tags, retreats, trips, etc. Some churches even charge people for Bible study materials. Even churches that can afford to provide materials free of charge for all. To me, it's mind-boggling that any church would charge people to study the Word of God! That's also a violation of the Word of God! What's wrong with opening the Bible and just studying it? The choices for poor people are: stay home, or be an object of charity. Those who organize such activities mean well, but they don't think about what this means for poor people. Often , poor people can be included on an equal basis in such activities as pot-luck dinners. Rich churches often will have someone who could subsidize a catered meal for everyone, so all are admitted at the same level. Small groups are often promoted as an avenue for great fellowship in large churches. However, everyone knows who the poor people are, and they are never quite equal to people with money. And whoever heard of a wealthy church that gave leadership positions to poor people? Never mind that we read in James that "God has made the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom..." Wealthy churches have much to learn from poor people, but often they/we are treated with embarrassment. Very telling, and a clear violation of Scripture (James). I long for opportunities to share my considerable spiritual wealth with others in my church, but alas, such opportunities are hard to come by, and the price one must pay is often daunting. Of course, wealth isn't the only idol, but that is a story for another time.