OH, WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
The Great Depression is not a part of my personal experience. What knowledge exists within me comes from the stories related by those who did endure
those trying times, and retain the character of “waste not; want not.” My generation often found the conservative nature of our
parents and grandparents as “silly” rather than frugal. Using a small ball-peen
hammer, a pair of pliers and a small anvil to straighten used bent nails for
reuse in various projects around the house and farm seemed to us more of a
punishment than wise use of acquired materials. Yes, we obeyed, but seldom
without some grumbling resistance! Our forefathers
persisted with this manner of cautious use. “If it works, don’t fix it”
preceded the necessity of “bailing wire and chewing gum” when it did break.
Nearly every husband and father realized the necessity of being “Jack of all
trades and master of none” when it came to the realms of mechanics, plumbing,
wiring and carpentry. That older generation valued a nickel because it was such
a rare commodity. Their entertainment consisted of listening to radio with
shows such as “Fibber McGee and Molly”, “Amos and Andy”, “The Life of Riley.” The children born
just a decade or less before that depressing era of our nation’s history grew
up listening to serials challenging their young imaginations and developing
their minds: “The Shadow Knows”, “Buck Rogers”, “Jack Armstrong”, “The Lone
Ranger”, etc. When the youth of the 1930’s came of military age in the 1940’s,
their experiences gained from their parent’s strict conservative ways permitted
their quick action and inventive skills to save their lives and the lives of
countless thousands during World War II. Famed as “The Greatest Generation” via
Tom Brokaw’s book, they are indeed “the greatest” for they learned how to
endure because of having to endure! Now, in our present age, it appears we have
need that one teach us again of the first principles of such disciplined
appreciation for our blessings (cf. Hebrews 5:12).
Recent events in our nation seemingly
confirm such apparitions of the former days, but with notable differences
besides. Someone pronounced the economic plights as “the depression of the
twenty-first century.” Perhaps there exist some limited comparisons. During the
Great Depression, a dollar bought a dollar’s worth of materials. The problem
was no one had the dollar. Barter often consisted of eggs, cheese, milk, meat,
dry goods, etc. My grandfather was a country doctor
and surgeon. The majority of his patients were simple folk of the country with
scantly enough monetary means to care for their absolute necessities. Some of
his patients were so poor that someone coined the phrase, “They can’t buy a
half-interest in a free lunch.” In answer, some of those very ones would
retort, “And we’d be too proud to if’n we could!” These were often the more
charitable type, though they had so much less with which to afford their
charity. I remember my father related the story of
Grandfather delivering the baby of a woman whose home was in a big city. She
was visiting her sister at the time of her delivery and needed Doctor’s
services. Grandfather came to the house, delivered the baby,
and as the custom of the time was, ordered the new mother to stay in bed for a
month. He returned at least twice a week until time to discharge both
mother and babe from his care. “What do I owe you, Doctor?” He replied,
“Twenty-five dollars.” “Twenty-five dollars!” she exclaimed. “Well, if that’s
too much, maybe we could work with twenty. But that’s my customary fee.” She
sat aghast. “Oh no, Doctor, that’s not my concern! If I
were in the city, the charges would exceed two hundred fifty dollars; ten times
that amount. I’m simply surprised you’ve made all these trips and cared so well
for our needs, only to charge me twenty-five dollars.” Grandfather is said to have smiled at that remark answering, “Well
that’s the city for you. Those big places charge for so many things. But I figure my fee is fair. After all, you did all the labor!”
If I recall the rest of the story, he settled on
monthly payments of less than five dollars a month until they paid their
requirement! Again, few had the dollar bill! Therein lays the distinctive
difference between then and now: today we have the dollar, but it does not buy
a dollar’s worth of goods! Its worth is purely symbolic in nature, and the item
of idolized greed in reality!
Another similarity is the work force.
During the Great Depression, a multiplicity of strong able-bodied men and women
sought work only to find very little available. President Roosevelt set in
order his “alphabet policies” and the WPA among many other assistance work
programs came to reality. The pay was not much, but something and the gratitude
for “something” was of immense measure! Granted, some
dubbed such programs with rather angry acronyms (WPA to them meant, “We Piddle
Around”). Still, the factor of “work or don’t eat” (2Thessalonians 3:10) kept
these workers from starving: their only alternative if they failed to work! In
this modern day depression, multiplicities of able-bodied persons ask for work,
but refuse the opportunities unless the wages promised far exceed the
subsistence given by the government for not working! Still others refuse
opportunities for work because they demand exorbitant wages and benefits
because of their “social status” or “education” or “experience.” While a workman is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7) many appear “just
plumb greedy” when it comes to employment packages! The scriptures indicate the
workman accepts the wages of the one hiring (Luke
3:14; Matthew 20:1 – 16) rather than the contrary. Apparently, the same
idolized greed tenders the tender of today’s working class!
From the experienced mouths of those
who endured those times of the 1930’s, we learn few if any “expected” the care
of others toward their misfortunes. “I got myself into this mess … I’ll have to
get myself out” was the attitude of responsibility. Yet, the blessings of
brotherly love existed in tremendous quantity and quality! Humility, graciousness
and contentment (Hebrews 13:5-6) permeated the attitudes of the faithful. “Let
this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”
(Philippians 2:5) meant much more than “Think like He thought.” “He left us an
example that we should follow His steps” (1 Peter
2:21) found companionship in its understanding with Philippians 2:5. In many of
this era’s depressed times, we refreshingly find a kindred attitude and
example. For this, we give thanks and encourage all to observe and practice
such humility. Jesus was humble in both actions and speech. We find no evidence
of His personal possession of money. We find Him stating the birds of the air
had nests and foxes had dens, but He had no place to lay His head (Matthew
8:20). His speaking was not with the air of “educated oratory” (compare Acts 24
with Tertullus), but a speech of common sort; understood and appreciated by the
common people (Mark 12:37; Matthew 7:28 – 29). His example was not one of an
“idolized greed” and therefore, the Christian must carefully guard against
obtaining any such “idol.”
Perhaps those of yesteryear’s
hardships were as well somewhat prophetic. They were heard
to say, “Folks nowadays don’t appreciate what they have. They need a good dose
of the old time depression! Then they’ll learn. They won’t listen to reason now, but maybe when it happens,
they’ll rue the day. Mind you now, I don’t wish them ill, but if they don’t
stop spending so much and trying to live so high on the hog, they’ll come to
wish they had the head cheese ‘cause they’ll not be
able to bring home the bacon!” Now, dear reader, are not many of us facing
today their decree?
This nation
in which we dwell is undoubtedly the richest of all the world! Historically, we
have helped rebuild every nation we destroyed due to war; and do so without
expecting repayment of such enormous debts! We have willingly fed the poor,
clothed the naked, sheltered the homeless, given aide to the sick and infirm,
and bolstered countless peoples all over the world in seemingly every
conceivable manner of generosity. We have done so without hesitation. Privately
as well as via collective agencies, our nation’s citizens have reached into
their pockets time and again to assist the needy. For this we are well known by all as “a generous people”, “a blessed
people”, “a loving people.” More pertinently to the Christian, we have accepted
Galatians 6:10 as our personal obligation rather the obligation of the local
church and generously helped the helpless in a variety of ways. Most assuredly,
Christians rise to the aide of Christians. In our own local church, a family
lost all they had more than the clothes they wore, and the vehicle they were in
when without warning their house burned. The amount of loving-kindness cannot be measured for its greatness! This is as it must be
now and always!
“Then why such an epistle of gloom?”
you ask. There are no less than two reasons: first, my
desire to express my heart. Writers write as a release and such fulfills for me that purpose. Second, however, seems the more valid
reason: Making us all more aware of the facts. Amos told
Think not that blame rests solely at
the feet of government: it does not, for government is of God (Romans 13). Just
as God raised up Pharaoh that He might exhibit His
mighty power over all peoples, (Romans 9:17) God’s control has not left our
existence! Government of the people, by the people and for the people cannot
perish from this earth (Lincoln, Gettysburg Address.) It is not so because
As a nation, we have admittedly
increased our greed! The dollar would still be worth a dollar and buy a
dollar’s worth of materials were it not for greed. Our idol of greed, however,
came alive, unlike Baal, and found its cash cow in us!
“How can that be? An idol is an inanimate object!” Indeed …and if we were not
the idol of greed we would agree completely! However, we are the idol. It is US who want the great, greater and greatest with the
biggest, best and most! We could have been content with dollar and a half per
hour wages if it were not for those who cried for more plus benefits and their
cries answered to avoid the threat of “We’ll quit if we don’t get it!” (Isn’t
is interesting that parents discipline a child when such tantrums exist, but in
essence do the same to get their way when it comes to feeding the idol of
greed?) Because the employer succumbs to the cries of the employee, the
employer has no choice but to increase the price of his product to the
consumer. This permits him to keep up with the demanded wages of his employees
and retain a profit for himself and his company;
which, by the way, worships the same idol of greed and therefore the need to
increase his own throne of worship with a self-increase. After all, no
respected employer lives beneath the dignity of his employees! Oh, what have we
done in creating such a cycle of evil?
As a nation, we have formulated a
reward for laziness. We can’t stand to observe hunger
in our own land so we establish governmental programs to feed these poor folks
and give them clothing and shelter. Now if legitimately so, we should not
object! Jesus said, “The poor you have with you always” (Matthew 26:11). That’s fact …but those who are WILLINGLY poor due their
willful lifestyle need to learn the use of a broom or a hoe! (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Alcoholism runs rampant among many of
this ilk. Where do they gain money to buy booze? I
have never bought booze, but would certainly think the same amount would buy a
double cheeseburger and a coke at McDonalds! (That comes to less than $2.00
with tax!) As a gospel preacher who encounters many “poor” folk asking for
financial assistance, I find the word “work” is as
nasty to them as some of their four letter words are to me! Still, as a nation,
it appears we have enabled the lazy in greater fashion than some have enable
the alcoholic or drug addict. The term “enabler” means “gives acceptance and
assistance to enable their addition.” Indeed, by our idol of greed, we have
enabled more greed and consequently enlarged the living idol of our own
destruction! Oh, what have we done in creating such a cycle of evil?
Even among our brethren, we have erred
in our judgments regarding the idol of greed. Being a gospel preacher let me start with that facet. Preachers may scripturally receive
remuneration for their work (1 Corinthians 9). In fact, that same passage
indicates a sinful attitude from brethren if they do not at least offer to care
for the preacher’s needs in exchange for their spiritual benefits via his work.
However, some preachers believe they need to live above the common folk of
their local work. That is an indication of greed! Conversely, some brethren
believe the preacher is as a slave and pay him as a slave! That also is
indication of greed! Why cannot an adherence of Matthew 7:12
permeate the mindsets of preachers and brethren alike? Would not such an
attitude remove completely the edifice of greed from our lives?
Many churches of Christ appear to have
more interest in “keeping up with the Jones” than in saving the souls of the
Smiths! We build temples rather than places of meeting to worship God. We
expend hundreds of thousands of dollars belonging to the Lord we claim to serve
for the satisfaction of our idolatrous greed! As we indicated earlier, our Lord
Jesus Christ was without exception a poor man monetarily! There is no evidence
He ever touched money, but rather said to His accusers, “Show me a penny.”
(Luke 20:24) He sent Peter to catch a fish and from its mouth extract a coin
that would pay the taxes for both He and Peter. (Matthew 17:24 – 28) Yet, by
the appearance of some of our places of worship, one would think our Lord
worships there and thus the ornate for He merits nothing less than the best!
Oh, my brethren, what have we done? Do we not
understand that our Lord does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He
worshiped with men’s devices? (Acts 17:24 – 25) “Spirit and truth” (John 4:24)
are not items one finds in brick and mortal, steel or wood! These precious
unadulterated items are within the hearts of the true worshippers of God who
could as easily praise Him from the midst of a barn or in the openness of a
field as they gather to grant Him homage! The fact is many of the more ornate
places of assembling do more to prevent the poor man’s soul from being saved
than they do to entice his reasoning and study of the scriptures whereby he can
be saved! Many a poor person feels unwanted, unworthy and ignored in the
presence of such established testaments to the idols of greed! How could he
feel welcomed to step his soiled foot onto the plush carpeting? How could he
possible feel comfortable within a place where by appearance he would be dismissed unless he entered by the “service
entrance” and then remained anonymous in some secluded area of a secluded room
(or closet)? Yes, in many places we have priced the poor man completely out of
any hope of his salvation. It is done while preaching, “The poor ye have with
you always,” and yet the idol of our greed surrounds us with more comforts in a
seldom used building of meeting than we have in many of our homes or places of
business! Indeed, one wonders if Jesus Himself would feel comfortable in such a
place. He was a poor man that remained among the common folk. They heard Him
gladly. Who listens to us now? Oh, what have we done?
Likewise, the idol of greed uses great
subtlety even when teaching the gospel of Christ! Because of our oratory in desiring
others notice our education, and genius regarding the word of God, the
uneducated, or at best the “under educated” have no understanding of our words.
The only reason one would use a vocabulary of costly words would be the
impressive notice received by his hearers! In the first place, such arrogance
Paul condemns (2 Timothy 4:3-4) and in the second, some of us have heard that
kind of gibberish and instead of giving the speaker a look of praise, we tend
to give him a puzzled look as if to say, “Can you interpret that
interpretation?” Still, many churches fill their auditoriums with modern day
Tertulluses in hopes of gaining the big crowd for the big preacher. All that
really does is feed the big egos of the gigantic idol
of greed! Oh, brethren, what have we done?
Paul expressed concern to
I am not a
politician and have no such desires stumping for anything of that nature. I am a Christian. Yes, I like many
of my brethren have indulged the pleasures of idolatrous greed … and always to
my shame and detriment! Even the writing of articles such as this admittedly
has some form of “egotistic food for the idol of greed” inasmuch as “I” appears
more than it should, and it is MY hope to circulate its content for some
fashion of good … and receive the acknowledgement as its author. (Frankly, and
truthfully, I could care less if you put my name to
this provided it gets its point into all of our hearts including mine!) Our
country now experiences the foolishness of deaf ears to the wisdom of times
past! We have fed our idol of greed with the finest of the finest; and now, we
find ourselves rooting like the hogs for a lost acorn. Our luxuries are fading
and we cannot afford the polish to shine them, let alone the cost of their less
expensive replacements. We know what we have done in that regard and we all –
rich and poor alike – suffer the results. Will the poor man
be sold for a pair of shoes as in Amos’ day? (Amos 2:6) Maybe, but if so it is only to satisfy the appetite of our idol of
greed!
My concern is
more for the Lord’s church! I know nothing will cause its fall (Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 15:24; et al). Yet, that reality does not
grant me inclusion within its sacredness; neither does
it assure you entrance into Heaven eternal! The only assurance any of us have
of that eternal abode is conditional upon our faithfulness in all
things. “All things” includes much more than our study, assembling for worship,
and the occasional sending of a card of thanks or greeting to the brethren.
Faithfulness includes sharing what we have with our brethren (Acts 4:32).
Faithfulness includes our going into all the world
(including the areas of the poor and less “accepted” socially) with the gospel
(Matthew 28:19). Faithfulness includes caring for our families (1Timother 5:8),
which requires living within our means rather than beyond them! Faithfulness means letting our lives be governed by Christ Jesus
(Colossians 3:1-4).
As long as the world remains, someone
will be wealthier than you, more educated than you,
and more workable in this world than you. That being so,
it might be you are the “poor” man in this article.
There is no shame in that reality: you can go to Heaven just as surely as the most wealthy man of the world provided he is a faithful
child of God when he dies (Revelation 14:13). The point is, every soul came
into the world without temporal substance and will leave this world that same
way! The non-temporal is the important element – the soul! If that soul grows
to a stage of understanding the gospel, obeys that gospel and dies in obedience
to that gospel, he saved the only item worth saving – his soul! In so doing,
whatever of his earthly prosperity he has while in this world,
he considered it as additional means by which to serve God faithfully. That’s right; just “tools” to help him in his work of
teaching and preaching Christ and Him crucified. If his treasures are of the
earth, he loses (Matthew 6:19 – 21). If he places his treasure in heaven, (ibid.)
he cannot lose. Rather that reading with dismal dismay, “Oh, what have we
done?” we can declare with great joy throughout a ceaseless eternity, “Oh, what
He did for us.” Jesus, however, will declare in our behalf, “Well done, good
and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Indeed, dear reader, are the matters of
this epistle worthy of our musing? Is it not the case we have only the Lord’s
church in which to assure our humble, generous and obedient souls for eternity
with Him?
Michael
Davis
1
September 2005