GOD (YHWH) vs. Money

When I think about this statement, GOD vs. Money it shred my body. Money, a strong competitor for GOD! How dare? I remember in one of my leadership classes, the resource person quoted, “When Jesus said, ’Repent‘ what does it imply; repent from what?” Many said, “Repent from sin”. But He said, “Repent from your love for money”. I really did not agree and understand the deep and profound thought that was laid before. Later did I realize what he quoted was so profound.
I am known for procrastination, the latest is in writing this article. I drafted this article more than a month ago. But, as I am having a special trait of postponing things, here at last I pen this down. Whenever I think of the word ‘Procrastination’, I am always reminded of my college mate, Guru. He once mentioned, “Never Procrastinate”, which always rings in my mind.
Before writing this article, I went out to my balcony and saw a pigeon’s nest. The pigeons do not have a storing unit. On the other side, Crows are peaking on the food offered by my neighbours. Jesus said, “Do not worry” and gives a wonderful analogy about birds, flowers and King Solomon in Matthew 6: 25 – 34. To conclude He says “Seek he first the kingdom……..all these things will be given to you as well”.
I was wondering, how Jesus could make such a statement. I (we) live in a fast paced life with so many commitments like family, relationship, career, money, studies, job, marriage, success, fame, failure, desires and what not! Did Jesus knowing all this, did he say, “Do not worry”? After my little experience in Delhi I can boldly say, “YES”. In spite after seeing and experiencing all this, Jesus said “Do not worry”. Strange ah! I am awestruck after my Delhi experience.

I would like to draw a relationship with the verse “the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few”. In Delhi I had wonderful bible studies. There was a lot of sharing and discussion. In the end a major concern and prayer point would be - please pray for Delhi, as there are more than 1 million college students and we only have 1 full time staff, with 2 associate staff. There is an inappropriate ratio between staff and the number of students.
The person who prays would refer to the verse ‘laborers are few... harvest is plenty’. I would challenge each and everyone, why not be available for GOD - Evangelistic Ministry for at least two years? If everyone takes turns, then there would be enough staff for His mission. I know it would cost you a lot. Are you worried about your spouse, children, their education, food, clothing, shelter and are you worried that the pleasures that you are enjoying so far would all crumble down? So, don’t you trust GOD? Yes, don’t you trust GOD? We all say that HIS word is the truth, and what He said will come to pass. Then why not give a try and trust him? According to what I have experienced, the GOD who called me is faithful till date. I did not lack anything. In fact, I have enough to bless others.

Who are the poor? I don’t want to give a definition and label them. People on the street are one such group. I am always amazed about their survival, though they don’t have as much as those people who live in houses and apartments have or earn. Then how do they survive? Well let me answer, Matthew Chapter 6 does work here. God provides. Because they don’t have anything, they will gladly accept whatever comes their way. In Delhi the poor can easily survive over here, everyday, people distribute food to everyone irrespective of class, creed or caste. We (Those who have) are so fussy about water, we, generally prefer mineral or purified water, but, the poor are not bothered. Water from any source is water for them. They sleep wherever they find place; if they are chased away they is always another place. I really wonder why Jesus always referred and mentioned about the poor? Did He like them more than the rich? Was He more concerned about the poor than the rich?

My friends’ claim that because I am supported by my family, I am thinking about GOD, mission and ministry. Imagine, if you were to support your family, would you not be thinking of how to make more money for the family. They say, “Emmanuel I can think about GOD because He will help me financially. Emmanuel, how would you respond if you were in my state?” I was shocked, because reality is hard and raw. I am not sure, what my response would be. May be I would think of GOD as a monetary source. Money, a strong strong competitor to GOD - I can’t comprehend.

Being an Orphan

In this write up, I would like to focus on two issues; being an orphan and social work. Priya is an inmate of a Girls Home for the past eight years. To give a brief background about her and her family, her mother passed away and her dad married another woman. The pressure from her step mother forced Priya to be out of her home. Let me make it clear from the beginning that I do not like the terms “Orphanage” and “Orphans”. The former, I would refer to as “Children’s home” or “Institutional Care” and the latter - no one is an orphan in this world; they can be referred to as “Single child parent” or something else. Not sure! But, never call them orphans.
I would like to tell you a true incident which disturbed me in the recent past. The people involved in this were very close to my heart. As mentioned earlier, Priya was an inmate of a Girls Home along with other inmates (should be thirty in number). As usual, when they finish their final exams, they are all set to go and be with their relatives or guardians to enjoy the summer vacation, During this time the Home is given a break and so are the staffs. Either the inmate’s relatives or guardians would take them. In no time the home is empty.
This summer, Priya’s father was not able to come to take her home. This caused great tension to the director. The question popped up the director’s mind. “Since the entire home is deserted, where will Priya stay till her father comes?” Staffs have also left for vacation. The director requested local staff and a well wisher to accommodate Priya for a short period, but no one was interested or willing. They clearly communicated that it’s not possible. My question was why not priya be accommodated in the director’s house, if it was only for a few days. No one was willing to accommodated Priya. Just imagine if Priya hears all the comments about her. If I were her (though I cannot and never wanted to be a girl!), I would not burden them, but run away to help myself. Few comments made about Priya were - she was not clean, no place to accommodate her, she stinks, etc. In fact the cause for the delay of her father’s arrival was that he is forced not to keep Priya in his house. Where will Priya go? It is the worst feeling to know that there is no one to care for you. Though they say outwardly that they care for you and that they love you! “I love you, but not at my cost”.
At this juncture, I would ask, now where has social work gone? Or where did the philosophy of love for neighbors disappear? What happened to the so called social work for the society? Is loving another person based on the comfort of a person? True love costs one’s own life and comforts. Social work should not be a good business deal with all comforts. But I feel it’s spreading like wild fire.
In another incident, I was discussing with a staff of a Christian Social work Organization. He was clear in what he was doing. He said, “Emmanuel I am not here to do true social work. The reason I am sticking on to this job for a long time is because I am paid well and my family is safe and secure. It is for the money that I am working and not for true social transformation.” I really admire and respect the person who made such a bold statement. Unlike others who say, “We are into social transformation, dedicating our lives”. But that is not the truth. I love this quote

-“You can give without loving a person,
But, you cannot love, without giving a person”

The term ‘giving’, we got it all wrong. ‘Giving’ not only means giving your money, it can be your valuable time (I would respect a person, who spends his/her valuable time with me), or if you’ve got a car, just helping others with transport, or anything which would be a blessing to others.

LOVE... JUST LOVE!!!