The Simple Things

There is a theological lesson from a great TV show I watched as a kid. Does anyone remember Hey Arnold! I was just thinking about the episode in which Arnold's neighbor Mr. Hyunh becomes a country music star. First of all, this is funny because the point of the show is to depict city life. That aside, the song is amazing and gets at a very important lesson which we all know to be true, even if we forget about it. Prepare for nostalgia, here's the song:

The Simple Things

Some scripture immediately comes to mind. Matthew 19:21 "If you want to be perfect, go sell your things and give to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

As Mr. Hyunh (via Randy Travis) sings in the song, he would send all of the fancy possessions back in a "big old sack." In fact, at the end of the episode, Mr. Hyunh gives up on the limos and the money and the fancy clothes and returns to being a cook. He gives it all up because it's just too much, and he is more faithful to the message of his song than to what it can do for him financially.

Something fascinating is that Christianity has a similar effect. In his famous book, sociologist Max Weber argues that popular forms of European Christianity (specifically Calvinism) actually helped encourage the development of capitalism. The short version of the argument is this: 

1. Calvinism believes in predestination, it is already decided who will be saved. 

2. People want to know who will be saved, even though that is for God to know. 

3. People think that if you have money it is a sign of being saved.

4. Therefore, Calvinists worked really hard to make lots of money so that they could feel blessed and saved.

In addition, the scriptures contain advice about being a wise steward of your money (Luke 16:10-12). There are passages encouraging hard work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). Of course, all of these passages are in the context of discouraging greed. Being a wise steward means not desiring possessions too strongly and when Paul asks the Thessalonians to work, he is asking them not to take advantage of others. But either way, one could see how this scripture would inspire someone to earn and save a lot of money.

So let's assume it's true. Being a Christian, or maybe even the discipline of religious practice in general, somehow helps you make more money. Now what? Christianity is clear that money is pretty much no good. Jesus says "you cannot serve both God and money," he says "sell everything," he says "store up treasures in heaven and not on earth." We get the point!

The best reaction is to do what Mr. Hyunh did. Remain faithful to the beliefs, not the benefits. Although Mr. Hyunh's song about the simple things made him rich, he actually did decide to "keep the simple things." Similarly, Christians who are frugal and hard-working might find themselves with a fair amount of money. Keep the gospel, ditch the money!

If you're one of those lucky few with some cash, here are some ideas:

- Donate to local charities: keeping your money in your own community is a great way to strengthen it and to know that your contributions are being put to good use.

- Donate to trustworthy charities: Here's an organization that has told us who's good http://www.charitynavigator.org/

- Give it to the Church: The Church has a divine call to be good steward's of people's gifts. You can trust your Church to put the money to good use.