A $45,000 Mercedes?????

Have you ever gotten bent out of shape when you saw a Christian driving a really nice car? What is that in us? Where does that come from? Some people might think that it is righteous to be offended at how other Christians spend their money. I have a friend who is a very committed believer in Christ who drives a Mercedes automobile. I know he takes some flack behind his back because of the car he chooses to drive. Why is that? Well, it's partially because our Christian generation is self righteous. Because of our Christian generation's emphasis on helping the poor we tend to hate the symbols of luxury that we found prevalent in previous generations. Luxury cars and big houses are a bit passé. Brad Pitt isn't being driven around in a Rolls Royce, he drives his own Prius (I saw it on TMZ). It might actually be cooler to live in a town house or a studio apartment than to buy a McMansion. But our Christian generation must watch out because the downsizing of your home does not, necessarily, mean that you are obedient or spiritual. The "place" Jesus is preparing for his people has many rooms (Jn 14:2-3) so large homes are not condemned by Christ (and we should oppose the false teaching that God despises wealth). The fact that you drive a Passat instead of a Mercedes could mean very little about the condition of your heart. More than likely it means you have a lot of school loans.

Luxury cars and houses might be "out" for our generation but $1700 laptops aren't. Having to upgrade my technology every 25 minutes isn't "out". Paying $200 a month for a cell phone isn't "out". Wearing designer eye wear isn't "out". Wearing $120 jeans isn't "out". Eating out isn't "out". Are any of these things wrong? Not necessarily, but before we get really judgmental about the Mercedes let's look deeper. My friend loves Christ and displays that love through his commitment to worshiping Christ with every area of life, even his finances. The Mercedes is, in no way, keeping him from honoring God with everything that he has been given. He bought the Mercedes new about 10 years ago. He probably paid cash for it. He still drives it. I sense the purchase of the Mercedes was a very sensible and wise decision. To purchase the $24,000 car at 5% interest over 5 years may not be as wise, if it keeps us from prioritizing giving to God.

Why do we get bent when we see Christians with nice things? Is our heart really breaking for the poor around the world? Maybe, but my guess is that more often than not, there is a jealousy in us that springs from the sinfulness of our hearts that we need to confess. Our sinful hearts might say, "I'd do much more with all that money." "He/she is so unspiritual." "Why don't I have more to give away?" All of those thoughts come out of discontentment and pride. Let's be thankful that God has blessed the church with people wealthier than us and admit to God that we are the wealthy because we are American's. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.