Richer than you think?
Wednesday night, I went to a Boston Faith and Justice Network (BFJN) meeting out in Cambridge, where the agenda item was sharing more about their "Lazarus at the Gate" bible study groups. This group is intended to be an economic discipleship group, intended to encourage "rich" Christians to seek justice in our relationships with those who are poor, starting with our own lifestyles.
Money is obviously a touchy subject. The majority of people tend to think of themselves as 'poor', even when in relation to the majority of the world, they are rich. I find myself falling into that trap as well, thinking that because I have chosen a lifestyle of simplicity, which includes a smaller income than I might otherwise get paid given my level of education, that I am 'poor', and therefore, it's difficult to be generous and life a lifestyle of giving. Of course, there is poverty in America... but I am not subject to that reality.
Did you know that half the world lives on less than $2 a day? (yes... HALF). Granted, standards of living are different all over the world, and so it is cheaper to live a 'rich' lifestyle elsewhere, but, six million children experience and die from hunger each year.
Even in my so called 'poverty', this is something I will never have to face. I can afford to go out to eat, buy food abundently, and travel. I can afford to give to those laying at my gate.
There's a website you can go to called "The Global Rich List" that tells you how rich you are compared to the world.
http://www.globalrichlist.com/
I am richer than about 87% of the world.
The conclusion of these "Lazarus at the Gate" groups is to collectively give a pool of money to an organization that is fighting injustice somewhere in the world. This money is raised by making simple choices to spend money more wisely, in a less self-serving way, and explording responsible consumerism.
I'm pretty excited about it... and really would like to join or start a Lazarus Group. It aligns pretty well with where I am at on my own journey with these issues. Good stuff.
