The Jesus Sessions: The Haves and The Have Nots

Is poverty spiritual?

I believe that there is a correlation between money and spirituality. The correlation exists in that our view of money is fundamentally shaped by our relationship with God. How we use our money can be an indication of where our allegiances lie, what we believe is important, and where our sense of security and well being lies.

In his book The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard writes, "...being poor is one of the poorest ways to help the poor." Yet Jesus speaks so much about money. He told the rich young ruler to sell all he has and give it to the poor, he praised the poor widow, he said that the Kingdom of God belongs to the poor, etc. etc.

So back to my original question. Is poverty spiritual? Is Jesus right, and we should give all we have to the poor and become poor, or is Dallas Willard right and being poor is a poor way to help the poor?

Yes.

I do not think that Willard and Jesus conflict each other. Being poor, in and of itself, does not make you more spiritual than being rich. I believe that the poor and the rich can be equally consumed by money, either by the desire to get it, or the desire to keep it.

I think the real issue (and this is why I say that there is a correlation between money and spirituality) has to do with this question: Who/what is your god? For many, money is a god, and life and spending reflects that. For many, God is God, and life and spending reflects that.

That is why I believe that tithing is not about money. It is spiritual warfare. It is a statement about who our God is, where our security lies, and what the shape of our worldview is.

I pray that you would join me on the journey to developing a biblical worldview that impacts the way we use the resources God has given us.

Much grace and peace,

-Tim