Faith & Politics, Pt. III

Wants and needs. This is a tough area for me. Like a lot of folks, I like stuff. Lots of stuff. Like my Mac and the cool new IPod I received the other day. Right now I am listening to George Benson's "Ode to a Kudo" off his "Weekend in LA" album. I also like good, expensive food, nice clothes, and playing golf. Throw in a comfortable three or four bedroom house, 800 thread count sheets, a 36” flat screen and I am just about set. The American dream right? But how does this square with Jesus’ Gospel, and Paul’s words that “God will provide all our needs”? Politically we hear from many in this country that we are a Christian nation. Founded on historic Judeo-Christian ideals. Presumably, that would include a biblical view of stuff. So here is my question. How much of the stuff we feel we need are really things we want? Let me give you an example. A woman in my office was sharing today about a recent trip to Asia. She stayed with some friends in Vietnam who live above a swamp in a small home. Since the roof is made of tin, bugs and anything else that wants can come in and frequently do. But her friends have a roof over their heads, food on their table, and clothes on their back. In short, their needs are met. Just as God promised. And yet for those of us in the US, that just would not be sufficient. We would need more. Or, more accurately, if we were to be completely honest, we would want more. If we really are a Christian nation, as some claim, how do we square this? I know we all like stuff, and many consider it our right to have it. I mean, we have gone to war to protect the “American” way of life. Maybe our founders weren’t so enamored of the Gospel after all. Or maybe, we have just lost our way. Either way, I struggle with all of this stuff! Update ~ No, I did not receive my IPod from the President and Mrs. Obama, like the Queen of England.