The first ‘R’
In a time of consumerism and wealth accumulation, reducing and redistributing the earth's resources is the primary key to saving the ecosystem.
“How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:23)
A recent study by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) found that Canadians had the highest individual debt load of all people living in the G7 (the seven richest countries in the world). Obviously, this is not because most Canadians are poor. I suggest it’s because they want stuff, and they want it now. This is strange when one considers that Canadians have mostly affirmed the 3Rs of sustainable development that the world must embrace if we are to prevent imminent ecological collapse. We are fairly good at R2 and R3 (REUSE and RECYCLE), but abysmal at R1 (REDUCE). Yet it is reduction that is the primary key to saving the ecosystem and redistributing the earth’s resources so that there will be enough for all. Those of us in the G7 (and even the G20) must make do with less if we believe that loving our neighbours in the rest of the world is one of the two greatest commandments.
Love of money
Jesus clearly taught that wealth accumulation is a major deterrent to entering the kingdom of God (Mk. 10:25). The Apostle Paul teaches that contentment with the provision of our basic needs is a virtue that will prevent us from falling into the temptation of wanting to be rich. He warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6: 7-10).
These are hard teachings! Jesus’ disciples wondered that, if it is more difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, who could be saved? (Mk. 10:26). Perhaps they were early adherents of prosperity gospel theology that preaches that being wealthy is a clear indication of God’s blessings. No, says Jesus, “Blessed are the poor” (Lk. 6:20).
When is it enough?
But who wants to be poor? The idea that an economy shouldn’t continue to grow at a controlled pace to bring about prosperity and wealth is thought to be ludicrous. I’m not an economic expert, but I know of no “respected” economist who argues for an economy of enough. Enough is never enough. We must have growth, or we will experience stagflation, or worse yet, recession.
Yet who can question the wisdom of a teen-aged Greta Thunberg who, while addressing the United Nations, pointed out that expecting unending growth in a world of finite resources is not only impossible, but patently stupid? Apparently, stupidity knows no bounds.
I wonder if it might be salutary for Christians to spend more time reflecting on the Bible’s teachings about wealth and poverty than on seeking out sexual behaviours to condemn. After all, Jesus pointed out that prostitutes are more likely to enter the kingdom of heaven than Pharisees (Matt. 21:31).
50 years ago I was ordained a CRCNA Minister. On Sunday July 16 I returned to the only Canadian congregation of the seven in North America that I pastored in those years. Asked to preach to a congregation I last served 20 years ago, in which vast changes have taken place and which is a member of our denomination which is itself undergoing — and in notable instances resisting — other vast changes, I told the Congregation of some of the changes that have and are taking place in my own life. And I shared from Proverbs 3 and Roman’s 8 (the common lectionary epistle for the Sunday) how it is only by learning to LEAN on God, ie LEAN into the Spirit of Christ that I have been able at all, or any of us can, to live faithful to the Lord. Meghan Kort’s CC article shows me again how little off-balance I am by nature willing to be. As a Church we must learn to lean again, not trusting in our own (Colonist) understanding, leaning on our Native American (among other “minority culture”) brothers and sisters, and leaning into the leading of God’s Holy Spirit taking us where God seeks to have us in these times of turbulence and storm.
Mark A Davies, CRCNA Minister Emeritus, Penney Farms, FL
Regarding your comment, “I’m not an economic expert, but I know of no ‘respected’ economist who argues for an economy of enough. Enough is never enough. We must have growth, or we will experience stagflation, or worse yet, recession.”
Our current system of government social safety nets is based on having a growing number of workers who will pay taxes to support pensions, medical care, and other programs the government runs for people. That’s a major reason why “respected” economists don’t argue for “no growth” economic plans. As long as the population is growing, the economy must also be growing.
Can *individuals* in the economy get by with less? Probably — but what looks like a luxury to me can feel essential to someone else. I’m not planning a trip to Europe any time soon, but a trip like that is what some people need for their vacation, and some people say vacations are not a luxury.
It’s probably best if Christians spent time reflecting on the “whole counsel of God,” and not just the points an individual feels are important; to take hold more deeply of the Grace of Jesus which “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…” Self-controlled lives would learn to say no to the “I want it now” impulse… which is something I think this column would appreciate.
This feels too simple. Surely Canadians aren’t more “me, now” than Americans, so the explanation here begs the question. Further, the CMHC says 75% of Canadian debt is mortgage debt, I.e. a roof over their heads, which isn’t per se the “love of money”. And, the Jane/Finch corridor in Toronto, the Grassy Narrows area of NW Ontario, and the suburbs of Ancaster are all inhabited by Canadians, but not economically comparable—painting with the same econo-ideological brush is too simple.