Monday, August 3, 1998

Subtle Affluence

by David Scott Robertson

Have you ever been rinsing off some grapes under the water faucet
And several grapes have fallen into the sink or on to the floor
And instead of picking them up and washing them off,
You simply throw them away?

Have you ever pulled some breath-mints out of your pocket that have a little fuzz on them
And instead of cleaning them up, you toss them?

Have you ever walked past a nickel on the sidewalk
And thought it’s not worth the effort to pick it up?

Have you ever left food on your plate at a restaurant
And not bothered to get a doggie bag to take the leftovers home to eat later?

Have you ever thrown a T-shirt in the laundry just because you wore it once,
Not necessarily because it was dirty?

Have you ever bought something at the store
When you already had one somewhere in the garage
But just couldn’t remember where it was?

Have you ever thrown an apple away
Just because it had a bruise on one side and you didn’t want to eat around it?

You know what I think all the above represent?
I call it “subtle affluence.”

Subtle affluence is where you are rich and you don’t know it.
Your wealth is staggering yet you are oblivious to the fact.
Many people today live a lifestyle of subtle excess.
This is especially true of us who live in America.

We have been weaned on the American dream that if you want it, you can have it.
Usually pretty quickly, too.
After all, where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
You deserve a break today.
Have it your way.
If you don’t look out for #1, who will, right?

I wonder how that mentality flies on the streets of Calcutta?
I wonder what Ethiopians feel about people who throw away food?
I wonder what Bosnians feel about people who are upset because the lawn
Surrounding their lovely home has too many weeds?

It’s all relative, isn’t it?
A man with a good milk-cow and some seed corn has a hope and future in some parts of the world.

On the subject of subtle influence,
Much care must be taken and the words
“Balance” and “responsibility” must enter into the discussion.

I think it is imperative to understand
That God doesn’t so much have a problem with Christians having stuff:
It’s always been that He doesn’t ant stuff to have them.
As the Word points out,
“For the love of money is the root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV)

Having traveled to Latin America
And seen first-hand the naked children at the side of the road,
So many potholes in the “paved” road that you almost need a helmet to ride in the bus,
And thinking when old cars die they must come to this place,
I know that it all truly depends on your perspective.

The scriptural truth that seems to rise to the top, on the subject of
“Subtle affluence,” is:

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b NIV).

Increase your prosperity; spend less money.
Increase your wealth; give it away.
Increase your quality of life; focus on simple pleasures.
Increase your treasures in Heaven by committing to the following principle:

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).

DSR, August 3, 1998