Tag: generosity

Why Christianity is Un-American

By Ife J. Ibitayo

With over 200 million Americans identifying as Christians, there are more Christians in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Yet I’d like to contend that the core values that established this great nation—independence, upward mobility, and consumerism—are antithetical to the heart of Biblical Christianity.

Independence

Nothing is more synonymous with the United States than independence. Nearly 250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was ratified, and our great nation has been striving to free itself from all dependence ever since. To be American is to be self-sufficient. We pride ourselves on “pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps” and “going it alone.” The myth of the self-made man has obtained a strong foothold in American heart because it enables us to be the “architect of our good fortunes” owing “little or nothing to birth or relationships” in the words of Frederick Douglass. Yet this fallacy runs counter to our innate wiring.

When God created Adam, He said, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).  This truth was never meant to be narrowly constrained to marriage. It’s a broader observation about our human condition. We were made to be interdependent rather than independent, interconnected rather than disconnected. And science affirms this truth. People who lack quality friendships are twice as likely to die prematurely. And loneliness carries the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. So, clearly, it doesn’t just “take a village to raise a child”, it takes one to sustain an adult as well.

Upward Mobility

The second pillar of United States’ culture is the American Dream: the belief that with enough hard work and determination, one can achieve the wealth and power they believe they are due. Upward mobility is a beautiful thing. It has given millions of immigrants—including my own parents—access to opportunities available in few other countries on the face of this planet. However, when the force of our culture is bent toward advancement, it turns us away from abasement—which is crucial to developing a heart like Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus’ time here on this earth, Scripture says, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus could have been king (John 6:14-15), supreme ruler of the planet (Luke 4:5-7), and commander general of an unstoppable divine force (Matthew 26:53), but instead He chose to be a toweled foot washer (John 13:3-5) and cosmic scapegoat (Isaiah 53:5-6). To be like Jesus is to continually put one’s self second. We subordinate our desires to the needs of other people even if it costs us a raise, a promotion, or something else precious in our lives.

Consumerism

Lastly, to be American is to be a consumer. Our one trillion-dollar credit card debt proves that we’ve become very, very good at this. We equate stuff with happiness and greater happiness with more stuff. This mindset has even leaked into the church—with over three-quarters of Christians believing God wants them to “prosper financially“. We’ve come to see faith as the lubricant for our finances. “Name it and claim it, sister. Believe it and receive it, brother.” In this way, Christianity really has become Marx’s “opium for the masses.”

But the way of the cross is marked by radical generosity. Speaking again of the founder of our faith, Scripture says, “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). In like manner, Christianity isn’t marked by how much we get but by how much we give. We must all wholeheartedly accept the truth that it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) that lies at the core of our faith.

Conclusion

In conclusion, rather than dovetailing neatly, Americanism and Christianity often lie in tension with one another. To be a true Christian in the United States is not to go along with the rest of society but to be countercultural. It’s to turn in our passports and accept that we are resident aliens living in a foreign land (Hebrews 11:13). For just as the world is not our home, neither is America.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(Romans 12:2)

Impossible Perfection, Possible Generosity

By Ife J. Ibitayo

I don’t find generosity as easy as I thought I would. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and still reeling from the greatest drop in national GDP since the Great Depression. And here I sit, a young, gainfully employed bachelor without any meaningful dependents.

I live in one of the top ten wealthiest counties in the United States in the richest country in the world. While families have been scraping by to put food on the table, I’ve been eating out every week. While unemployed millions struggled to pay enough their bills to make it to the end of last year, I bought a new laptop for Christmas. What is wrong with me? But let’s be real, my story is not all that unique. What is wrong with us?

Impossible Perfection

I’ve been thinking about the story of the rich young ruler a lot recently. There once was a young man with power, money, and authority who approached Jesus. He had lived his entire life righteously, and yet he still felt he was lacking something. Jesus knew what that something was, so He told the young man, “‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me’” (Matthew 19:21).

I think this is one of the hardest sayings in the Bible. We’ve spent decades of our lives earning our keep. We love our house in the suburbs with our blue Ford F-150 and our new Apple iPhone. We relish waking up in our own bed, drinking our morning coffee from our special mug, and typing away on our precious laptop. Yet we forget our impoverished neighbor. We pass by on the other side of the road as they shiver their nights away beside the Walmart down the street.

This is not so much a call to action as a plea for introspection. Why can’t I sell my phone, my car, or even my house to love my neighbor? Is this too high an ask for anyone? I’m clearly being unrealistic, aren’t I? Yet this is exactly how the early church lived. Acts 4:34 says. “There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them.”

Possible Generosity

One of the most quoted verses of the Bible is Matthew 19:26, “‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Unfortunately, the context of this verse is often lost as well. Notice that this saying is only five verses after the story of the rich young ruler. Upon hearing the steep cost of perfection, the young man left in great sadness. Then Jesus declared how impossible it was for the rich like you and I to enter into heaven. But when the disciples asked who then could be saved, Jesus replied with this promise.

In my own strength, I can only close my fists tighter and tighter, no matter how hard I try to open them. But God is love, and if I surrender myself and my riches to Him, then I have a sliver of a chance of loving others the same way He does.

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

(2 Timothy 6:17-19)

Walking in an Afghan’s Shoes

By Ife J. Ibitayo

In the past couple weeks, stories on the plight of the Afghan people have filled the news. I’ve never seen anything quite like this. In the space of a few short months, an extremist Islamic regime toppled a US-backed democratic government. And the crisis continues. Many Americans are waiting with bated breath to see if our troops, our citizens, and our interpreters will safely escape the country. But those important individuals represent only a tiny fraction of the nearly forty million people who live in Afghanistan today.

In Another’s Shoes

Some have spoken of the value of “walking a mile in another person’s shoes,” but very few of us will have that experience unless life forces us to. There once was a young lady who had a crush on me in college. We had been good friends for over a year, but I just didn’t feel the same way about her. I saw the frustration in her eyes, heard the sadness in her voice. I witnessed her pain, her near rage, but I couldn’t relate to it.

Flash forward nearly a decade and I understand it all to well (see “Heartbreak Hero”). Soon after my own heart-rending experience, I was tempted to call her up and beg for her forgiveness. I’d do anything to heal her anguish then because I wish someone could heal my pain now. By sharing a similar experience as her, I gained unparalleled empathy for her.

Conclusion

Here in the United States, we’re fortunate. It’s practically inconceivable that our own democratic government will be usurped by tyranny. It’s unlikely that we’ll have terrorists storming our homes, threatening our safety. We’ll probably never find ourselves trying to escape the United States for our dear lives. But imagine if we we were? Imagine if you were?

I don’t know what I’m asking for us to do. Whatever it is goes beyond shaking our heads and clucking our tongues, beyond political parties and impeachment. It may begin with fasting and prayer. It may end with money wiring and a plane ride. But let it be something. We may not be cramming into planes to escape the only country we’ve ever known, but other people just like us are. If we never end up marching the streets of Kabul to protest extremism with them, we can still be Jesus’ hands and feet to the refugees that come to us.

“‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

“‘Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

“‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ”’”

(Matthew 25:34-40)

Exile Mentality (Returning from Exile Pt. 1)

By Ife J. Ibitayo

Exile is a season of displacement. The regular rhythms of life are interrupted, and we are sent adrift physically, emotionally, and spiritually. COVID-19 caused a form of exile for all of us. Our day jobs were interrupted. Our plans were cut off. And our communities were scattered.

But now, vaccines are rolling out; cases are dropping; and fellowship is returning. Our physical exile is ending, but many people are still holding onto their exile mentalities.  Exile mentalities are the corrosive thought patterns we established to cope with our unfortunate circumstances. Three of the most common are isolation, scarcity, and deferment.

Isolation

COVID taught me to fear others. My coworkers, my neighbors, and even my friends could be invisible carriers of a disease that could literally take my breath away. So, like the rest of America, I shut myself up in my house. Now infections are down and vaccinations abound, but still some choose to remain trapped indoors. And others have just become so accustomed to living apart that they don’t want to put in the effort to journey together.

But the Word says, “Don’t neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25a). Community is not a suggestion but a command from God. I’ve found that it’s only in the presence of other people that I can truly see myself clearly. By their encouragement and exhortation, I become a better man. And I know this truth is true for you too.

Scarcity

Once COVID struck, I was amazed at what I saw at grocery stores. Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes vanished overnight. I’ve never been much of a hoarder. But when COVID struck, all that changed. I snagged that last paper towel roll like I was Swiper. I piled high the ramen like I’d never see the light of day again. I focused on putting myself first so that I wouldn’t find myself wanting.

But the Bible says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). Just as supply chains across the country adapted to scarcity by increasing their output, so should we. As we’re leaving the leanness of COVID-19, we should abound in generosity. There are still many people out there who are still suffering from the consequences of our scarcity mindsets.

Deferment

Lastly, COVID-19 put a lot of plans on hold. Businesses didn’t launch; vacations weren’t taken; and projects weren’t attempted because the timing was no longer right. Now COVID hasn’t vanished. Many places around the world will continue to feel its impact for years to come. But 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” Who knows if now is the time when your computer app will be able to find a niche in the crowded marketplace? Who knows if now is the perfect time to take time off because business is slow? Who knows if now is the time to do whatever it is that God has laid on your heart because the season we’re living in will never come again in our lifetimes?

Conclusion

Exile is difficult and frustrating and so is returning from it. But just as God is with us on our mountaintops and our valley lows, He’s also with us on the steep slopes in between. And He’s holding our hand every step of the way.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)