I don’t think too many people will disagree with me when I posit that Americans spend too much money on themselves. What’s your reaction to this post criticizing billionaire Charles Simonyi’s choice to spend $20 million on a space tourist trip?
What I do question is splurging so grotesquely on a fantasy adventure. But then I wonder, who am I to talk, really? I have splurged on family and personal adventures to an extent I could afford probably less than space tourists can afford their $20 millions. On the other hand, if we let inconsistency stop us from pointing out the flaws in others’ behavior, we would have to remain silent far more than I have any intention of being.So, consider all the things a space tourists could do with $20 million. If used for charitable purposes, it would be deductible, so call it more like $30 million. That is a lot of kids to send to college, even more to escape the gravitation of rotten public schools, and thousands of kids you could yank out of the holes they live in in Lima or Rio.
Many Americans (and perhaps most everybody) would respond to this critique with the defense that you’re free to do whatever you want with money you’ve earned. But as Christians, we believe that we’re stewards, not owners, of our wealth.
So where do space tourist trips fit in the scheme of stewardship? It’s easy to condemn when the number involved is $20 million. But what about the $1000 you spent on a new computer last year? The $200 car stereo? The $150 iPod, the $60 dinner date with your spouse? The $15 DVD you bought, the $5 trip to McDonald’s when you could’ve packed your own lunch for less money?
That’s why I personally find it so hard to critique other people’s expenditures, no matter how non-stewardly they may seem from my perspective; the question can be swung far too easily back in my direction, and I confess I find it difficult to perceive the gray area between stewardship and spending on myself.
We live in a world where there are plenty of good causes that could use the measly $3 you’re about to drop on a cup of coffee—and tools like Paypal make it easy for you to donate to the cause of your choice at any time. What do you do when you see a $20 non-necessity that you want to buy? What system do you follow to help you determine whether that purchase is moral, or whether you ought to forget it and write a $20 check to the church instead?
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October 30, 2006 at 16:51
That’s a great question, and you’re helping to pull things into perspective on it. Our church is just finishing up a message series where we invited people to submit their questions. Mine was, “How much is it OK for me to keep? In a world of need, how much would God have me hold on to?”
Sure, we tithe. We actually give between 15 and 20 percent of our income to the church. And we’re generous beyond that, as situations arise. But we still have plenty beyond “the essentials.”
So where’s the line? I’m getting ready to dig into that for our message series starting Nov. 12…
October 30, 2006 at 17:02
Sounds like a great message series, Rich. Any chance some of it will be available online for those of us who don’t attend your church? I’d love to hear what you and your congregation come up with.
October 30, 2006 at 23:16
This is the major issue that haunts me in my Christian faith in the USA today. This country is full of camels who cannot pass through the eye of the needle. He calls us to two missions – the mission to the poor, and the mission to those who are rich and do not know Jesus.
October 31, 2006 at 11:34
This has long been a source of discussion in our house. It’s usually couched in the question: “If Bill Gates or Jay Leno gives millions and millions to charity, can he justify having a classic car collection?”
I’d be very interested in hearing some of the sermon series that come out of this to line it up against what we’ve been contemplating.
October 31, 2006 at 12:15
I have several thoughts on this issue.
1. This is a matter between each person and the Lord. If someone’s conscience bothers them about a particular purchase, then they need to deal with it.
2. Remember the story of the woman, who anointed Jesus with the costly ointment? Many who witnessed this criticized her. Yet Jesus rebuked them and told them to leave her alone. What may seem like a waste to one, is a blessing for another. Purchasing a CD may be just what you need to help through a tough time.
3. We’re not living by a set of do’s and don’t’s. We’re to live our lives by the direction of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Everyone’s situation is different. Everyone’s motivation is different.
4. Remember the woman who gave a little. It was all she had. Others gave out of their abundance.
A good question – Do you have money or does money have you?
October 31, 2006 at 12:56
Excellent topic. A few thoughts:
1. My wife and I have this rule (which we don’t follow perfectly): anything purchase over $25 must be approved by both parties. But if I really stop and think about it, I’m quite proficient at frittering money away on lunch and coffee. The check card has done wonders for my ability to spend money, since I don’t even have to go to the bank anymore.
2. I think money is one of the key issues where red-blooded democracy (i.e. you’ll pry my wallet out of my cold, dead fingers) butts heads against a kingdom focus in which everything belongs to God.
3. Am I the only one who is just a little bit annoyed about Oprah’s recent gift of $1,000 to each of her 310 audience members? “I can honestly say that every gift I’ve ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I’ve given it to. That’s the feeling I want to pass on to you,” Oprah said. A kind gesture, but I’m growing weary of megastars announcing their donations in front of the world. Can’t someone for once just do an anonymous act of charity?
October 31, 2006 at 15:53
It must be stewardship season. As a past stewardship chair for a large UMC in SC, I know (and have used) all the rationale for shortchanging our giving. Until we have the mindset that we are not blessed to look blessed, but to be a blessing, we will fall short of our potential
October 31, 2006 at 17:55
Anna,
I think you hit the nail on the head. I whole heartedly echo your thoughts!
November 1, 2006 at 14:00
Perhaps as christians we should look to the chruch for leadership. It is a difficult thing to live with the genrosity we demand but how are we supposed to live in a way that our churches cannot even adhere to. My church is building, interestingly, a $20 million auditorium. In the county in which I live four churches have spent a total of $70 million on auditoriums, that is three and half space trips! I feel the greatest misuse of funds begins right there.