MyEDGEMag Autumn 2016

MY EDGE MAG

Autumn 2016

Consumerism Crossing The Line The Big Con Being Consumed窶認inding Your Way Through For The Love Of Money

NARCISSUS —THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE About MYEDGEMAG is published quarterly by the Youth Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (AUC) Limited. While all content is subject to copyright, permission is nevertheless granted by the publishers for content to be copied and reproduced by churches, schools and individuals for the express purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

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The cover photo was taken by Charmaine Patel, and modelled by Shannae Patel, in Brisbane, QLD.

by Tony Knight

T

HERE IS AN OLD GREEK LEGEND OF A young hunter named Narcissus who was renowned for his beauty. Walking in the woods one day, he sensed someone following him and called out “Who’s there?” The girl, curiously enough named Echo, replied (yes, you guessed it) “Who’s there?” Eventually, she approached the handsome young man, confessing her love for him. Not another one! he thought. He’d heard it all before—and rejected Echo.

So how does the story end? Not well for either Narcissus or Echo. She spent the rest of her days heartbroken, wandering the lonely glens and forests until nothing remained of her but an echo.

And what of Narcissus? Unlike Echo, he felt pretty good about himself until, one day, strolling beside a pool in the forest, he saw his own reflection, and fell instantly and deeply in love—with himself. After some time, he came to the realisation that his love wasn’t being reciprocated, so he killed himself.

It’s a strange, sad tale that, getting beyond the obvious stories of unrequited love, is not without its parallels today. You see, many have described century 21 as the age of Narcissus— the time when the spirit of narcissism prevails and is in fact almost all pervasive. In his letter to a young man named Timothy, the apostle Paul warned that this . . .when the spirit would happen:

of narcissim

“But mark this: prevails and is There will be terrible times in the in fact almost last days. People all pervasivE. will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure

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rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Timothy 3:1–5).

Sound familiar?

We’ve just come through the Christmas period, a time of family get-togethers, gift-giving, and celebrations of the life of Jesus and His saving grace. It’s also a time closely followed by the Boxing Day sales, cashing in unwanted gifts, pandemonium in the department stores. One story flashed on TV showed an adult female assaulting a child in a discount store over a cheap toaster. That’s the spirit of narcissism—the spirit of our age—when people are so focused on themselves, what they have, and what they might possibly get (with the resultant prestige) that all else, all humanity, all decency is lost.

Another strange, sad story, again, does not end well.

Unless . . .

How different the world would be if Jesus’ Spirit was the one that was all pervasive. If we all took our eyes off our own reflections and fell in love with Jesus instead.

“For the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

Tony Kn ight and is th lives in Melbo urn e at the A Resource Centr e, Victoria, ustralia n Union e Manager Confere nce.

Con•sum•er•ism 1. The preoccupation of society with the acquisition of goods, entertainment, time and people.

The big

CON

d s to find an berts seek tices, though Bryan Ro ac pr e althy lif ng in and share he of just givi onaire. es thinks sometim a sporty royal billi g becomin

2. The practice of conspicuously buying flashy, expensive items and expecting them to fill the voids in one’s life. (Urban Dictionary)

by Bryan Roberts

A

SYDNEY MERCHANT BANKER WHO worked long hours was persuaded by his wife to take a day off work to spend time with his teenage son David. David pined for his dad’s attention, but he was always too busy. Nevertheless, the banker took a day off work and they spent a magical day sailing. Although never repeated, David stored it in his memory as the wonderful day he spent alone with his father.

which is basically what sin is, right? We’re all sinners and we all consume. The opposite—right-living—is selflessness, an acknowledgement that some things are more valuable than our own gratification.

King David, that conflicted “man of God,” is a strong example of one struggling with the same tension we feel: self-centredness vs selflessness. But sometimes, he got it just right.

A few years later, the merchant banker died suddenly of a heart attack and David, now in his 20s, found his father’s work diaries when going through his things.

He opened one up to the date they went sailing.

His father had written: “Complete waste of a day.”2

But here are two examples of his righteous character, when he had little:

We all become affected by consumerism. It’s those times when we are focused on ourselves above all else, even things that should matter more in that moment. It’s selfishness,

David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the lines, drew some It’s those times Philistine water from the well by the gate when we are in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David focused on to drink it. Instead, he ourselves above refused poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “God forbid all else. that I should drink this!” he

And when he had much: And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. . . . Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?

(1 Chronicles 29:3–5, NLT).

1.

C Hamilton, Affluenza: When Too much is Never Enough, Allen & Unwin, 2005, page 3.

2. ibid, page 85.

Problems • The kids in your neighbourhood will accumulate 238 toys by the time they are 10. They will only play with about 12 of them.

• You want to listen to a different type of music, but you don’t want your “suggested playlists” to change.

GOD, SHOW ME

TERRORISM, RACISM

DEVIL IS TRYING TO

OURSELVES

exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it.

These are examples of the exploits of the Three (1 Chronicles 11:17–19, NLT).

First World

YO, WE AT WAR WE AT WAR WITH

3. An unsustainable addiction to economic growth.1

Kim Kardashian’s emoji app is the number-one top paid app in the Apple store, at one point allegedly receiving 9000 downloads a millisecond.

gement her enga shian and .eonline.com da ar K im K ww n from: w ring. Take

AND MOST OF ALL

2. An epidemic of stress, overwork, waste and indebtedness caused by dogged pursuit of the Australian dream.

The Extreme Kim’s 15-carat engagement ring is reported to have cost more than $5 milion! It would take someone with an average Australian salary, 834 years to pay that in tithe.

WE AT WAR WITH

Af•FLu•en•za 1. The bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.

• You cut your finger and now touch ID on your iPhone 6s doesn’t work.

THE WAY BECAUSE THE

• Your dog hates the $75 memory foam bed you got her for Christmas.

BREAK ME DOWN

• You can’t hear the TV when you are eating potato chips.

—Kanye West, “Jesus Walks” Image taken from www.stereogum.com

(culture watch) #THESTREAM | 03

Being Consumed —and finding your

way through

by Brendan Pratt

e a nd l p o e p mmodifye as products o c o s l We a using peopl end up ” happiness. for “my

I

USUALLY DON’T TELL PEOPLE THAT I follow Lorna Jane on Instagram and ask my wife to pick up her catalogues as we walk past the ladies’ active wear store.

But I can justify it by saying its part of my consumer-culture research. Sure, it might be good active wear—I don’t know—but I am intrigued by the spiritual themes that Lorna, called their “Lead Philosopher”, uses to create a pseudo-community and story that goes way beyond an article of clothing. It isn’t simply exercise gear, it’s buying into a community of “inspired”, nourished, self-believers who are living their “most beautiful lives”—or at least that’s the “story” being sold.

Likewise, I’m intrigued when I go to Bunnings on a Sunday morning. People checking their children in for a craft.

04 | PLUGIN (feature article)

Dads going to a DIY class. Giving to a community cause and having a fellowship sausage as we aim for a makeover like the one we saw on TV. Why Bunnings? Well, it has far more choice than the little family hardware store that used to be down the road. For many, a trip to Bunnings is a spiritual experience.

We live in what Mark Sayers describes as “hyper-real consumer culture”. It’s the pool we are swimming in. Each day we see more than 3000 advertisements that tell us we need more or that we need to be something different. We are told what to have and how to live a story of “success”.

We are shown how to fit in, make it and be the best version of “me”. Consumerism shapes our sense of identity and personality. It tells us what to desire, love and have hope in. You need clearer skin, whiter teeth or better handbags and shoes.

We are sold a story that we’re a purchase

away from happiness. Consumerism causes me to continually think I need more and that somehow I am missing out.

Consumerism is not so much about how much we have (on a global scale, we are all ridiculously rich) but more about where we put our hope and desire. Some people might be very wealthy by our standards but score low on consumerism scales as they realise what they have is all from and for God and doesn’t actually belong to them. Their self-identity is not tied up in what they own. Others might have relatively little, but their driving desire and hope is for what they don’t have yet. Like greyhounds racing after a fake rabbit, they run really hard after the elusive promises of consumer culture.

In consumerism, I learn that things exist to make me happy, that I can have gratification now and that products are disposable and are always being updated.

Sadly, we don’t only treat products this way. We also commodify people and can

end up using people as products for “my” happiness, who meet my needs but are disposable or need updating from time to time. I learn that I should have my “needs” met now regardless of who is hurt or mistreated along the way. Consumerism puts me at the centre and makes me think life is about my own little story and everything is for my glory. I disengage from the wider stories of religion, history and a world in desperate need to pursue my own little empire of self-happiness.

When a culture scores high on consumer measurements, it also scores high on loneliness and dysfunction. Relationships with family, neighbours and God take time and, in consumer culture, in which time equals money, relationships are secondary. People are sacrificed to the idol of economic growth and productivity. Our elderly, who know the stories of our culture but are not seemingly productive, are left behind in the clamour for young, beautiful, celebrity versions of life. The young are pushed to grow up quickly and join the consumable race. When age works against what our culture says is beautiful, we have all sorts of products and procedures to capitalise on the marketed insecurity.

We learn how to disengage from the real story of the products we purchase and instead buy into the marketed consumable story. The shoes are no longer seen as the product of a sweatshop in Bangladesh but are symbols and signifiers of who I am and what it means to wear that brand. The price I pay for the product is more about the marketed story than it is the actual value of the materials and people in the production process.

In our culture, consumerism has taken the place of what sociologists call “folk religion”. Folk religion is the thinking grid that we live within to determine our identity, actions, meaning and hope.

Consumerism takes worship away from God and puts it on products, celebrities and ourselves. In consumerism, Christianity becomes just another consumer choice, another lifestyle option.

We can even start treating God and church as products to be consumed.

Church becomes an event I watch rather than a community to be involved in. The main measurement becomes “Did I like it or not?” The Bible becomes a book of consumable suggestions rather than a big story of God’s love for humanity. God becomes a cosmic prosperity-vending machine to provide me with more rather than a loving Being who desires a growing relationship with us.

This photo was taken by Jessica Symes, and modelled by a teen small group from Lilydale Adventist Church (L-R): Jackson Davis, Samuel Bailey, Justine Stewart, Lachlan Turnely, Alexandra Lynch, Jayden Croft, Jacinda Ralph, Joshua Hassan, Kira Smith and Florinel Cernic.

Church becomes an event I watch rather than a community to be involved in.

On a bigger scale, our rampant consumerism has environmental and social implications. We are consuming non-renewable resources at an alarming rate and see the natural world as raw material for productions rather than God’s creation to be cared for. We source our products because they are a bargain and forget about the stewardship of the natural world and the dignity of people in the process. We are obsessed with economic growth at the expense of fairness and wellbeing. We care about battery hens but have forgotten about battery people who have been trampled in the production/consumer story. God had a lot to say about empires that dehumanise and crush people.

Paul writes in Romans 12 that we get “conformed to the patterns of this world” without even thinking. Paul wasn’t writing about consumerism but he was talking about how the dominant values of the empire have a way of moulding who we are. Consumerism is just a modern institutionalised expression of the same selfishness that has always been the problem. As Christians, we are called to live with a different hope and desire, (feature article) PLUGIN | 05

Consumerism is not so much the fact we buy, but rather the meaning we place in the process.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking around life— and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” —Romans 12:1–3, The Message.

and to remember that we are shaped for a greater purpose.

Jesus spoke often about the challenge of consumerism. Sure, there weren’t all the advertisements, brands and fashion magazines but He did explain in Luke 12 how things have a way of taking hold of our hearts and becoming our master.

He did talk about how we can so easily give our heart to the wrong grid—define ourselves by our “treasure” —and end up serving money.

So how do we find a way out? How do we live in the world but not be of it?

Reality is we are going to consume. We will buy shoes, clothes, food and more.

Consumerism is not so much the fact we buy, but rather the meaning we place in the process. The biblical story of Daniel highlights how we can live, and even thrive, in Babylon, an empire that symbolises false worship. Daniel purposed in his heart that he belonged to a more significant empire. He prayed with and sought support from friends 06 | PLUGIN (feature article)

with similar values. He re-calibrated around God’s purpose for him often (at least, formally, three times a day) and remembered that everything, including his intellect and ability to interpret dreams, was from God and only God was worthy of ultimate glory.

When we start with knowing we exist for God’s glory, we see life and the world differently.

As Christians, we are called to give our life to a different story. Rather than conformed, we are to be transformed (see Romans 12:1–3). We will consume but with different glasses on. We will find our hope, desire and identity in Jesus, and ironically find our life by giving it away—shifting from our agenda to serving God’s. We will value people, take time to grow, serve, share and worship in ways that resist commodification. We will live to God’s glory in a world that focuses on self.

This is the starting point of a significant life that matters for now and eternity.

This photo was taken by Jessica Symes, and modelled by Jayden Croft and Joshua Hassan.

Tom Beaudoin. Consuming Faith: Integrating Who We Are with What We Buy, Sheed and Ward, 2003.

Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. Affluenza: When Too Much is Never Enough, Allen and Unwin, 2005.

Oliver James. Affluenza, Vermillion, London, 2007 Skye Jethani. The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity, Zondervan, 2009.

Tim Kasser. The High Price of Materialism, MIT Press, 2002.

Mark Sayers. The Trouble with Paris: Following Jesus in a world of plastic promises, Thomas Nelson, 2008.

Laura M. Hartman. The Christian Consumer: Living Faithfully in a Fragile World, Oxford University Press, 2011.

Brendan Prat for the Au t is the Ministeria l Secretar st and also ralian Union Con y an avid re ference, one poin t housin ptile collector—at g over 12 0 reptile s!

G N I RE V I U L T L R O U F C R E M U TIPS S N

O C D N O B EY

Think about what advertising is telling you and why you might be choosing a particular product.

Lift your focus onto people. Intentionally slow down to spend time with family, church community and neighbours.

Lift your capacity to serve in your home, church and world.

Be generous with your time, talents and treasure. Generosity breaks the hold of consumerism. Tithing 10 per cent of your income is a great way to guard against the greed of consumerism and be reminded that your bank account is actually for God’s glory.

Celebrate Sabbath. Sabbath stands as a mark against consumerism. Sabbath reminds me that time doesn’t equal money.

Sabbath reminds me that I exist for a bigger purpose of growing, serving, connecting, sharing and worshipping. On Sabbath, I take a break from the consumeristic messages of advertising and shopping and, instead, celebrate life at its best.

Spend time with older people who know the stories but are often overlooked.

Spend time in nature. People who spend time in nature are often less consumer driven and more likely to value creation.

Take some time to recalibrate around what really matters. Make a plan to be transformed by the renewing of your mind rather than being conformed (see Romans 12:6). Put in place some heartbuilding habits that connect you with God. This photo was taken by Charmaine Patel, and modelled by Shannae Patel, in Brisbane, QLD.

(feature article) PLUGIN | 07

What does the Bible say about

Consumerism?

Matt

hew loves Hunter is a pa delv and is ing deep stor in A dela in a Sta r Wa to scriptu ide, rs fan r atic. e

by Matt Hunter

B

OXING DAY SALES GIVE THE PROMISE OF A BARGAIN. THE blood pressure rises as we wait at the door before it opens to display exactly the same stuff we walked past before Christmas with a disinterested “Meh,” but now all we see is a number that represents how much of a bargain it is.

do the same thing, the rush of endorphins tells me I got a win. Why do we behave in this fashion? What is it about “stuff” that attracts us so much? And what does Jesus and the Bible really say about it?

“Hey, look at this awesome convection roaster I bought for 85 per cent off! Bargain!!” Despite the fact I already have an oven that will

As we look at this topic, we don’t want to turn this into a moralistic crusade. But let’s get started.

1. OPEN TO MATTHEW 6:19–21 AND READ. To the right, list the words in the passage you feel are key to the meaning of the text: Here’s some background on a few of the words. (I’ve put the Greek word with the Strong’s Concordance number after it so you can look it up yourself in a book with Strong’s numbers or online. This will give you other ways this word is translated.)

“STORE UP” (thesaurizo 2343): This can also mean to save. This is the verb form of the word for treasure or riches. In a sense, he is saying, “Do not save up savings.”

“TREASURES” (thesaurus 2344): This word is linked not to the idea of what is stored, but more the idea of a storeroom. The focus is not on the amount saved up or it’s worth but rather it’s nature and location.

2. READ MATTHEW 6:1–18.

If treasures in heaven refers to one’s character or reputation, what do you think Jesus is really speaking about?

Read Matthew 6:22, 23. List the

“MOTH” (ses 4597) and “rust” (brosis 1035): The word for moth indicates this is something that is useless stored away.

Like clothing, what is the point of having it if you do not use it? The word for rust here is really a mistranslation as it’s core meaning is not jewels but food or eating, It indicates the foolishness of storing food for oneself when it would likely spoil or be eaten by something else.

key words/ phrases, then look them up in Strong’s Concordance online and look at some of the alternative meanings the Greek words.

Draw your own conclusion.

_____________________________ _____________________________ ______________________________ _____________________________ ______________________________ _____________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

THIEVES “BREAK IN” (diorysso 1358) and steal: The word literally means dig.

Middle Eastern houses were often made out of earth and someone could break in by digging a whole in the wall. Why put valuables somewhere so easily stolen?

SUMMARY: This is really all a metaphor for treasures located on earth as opposed to heaven. The phrase treasure in heaven was a metaphor for one’s character.

______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________

3. FINALLY, LET’S LOOK AT MATTHEW 6:24. This time I want to show you the structure of this verse.

No-one can serve two masters, For either he will

Hate the one

And love the other Or he will be

Devoted to one

And despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.

Notice the pattern. It’s a time-tested technique in rabbinical and biblical teaching found throughout the Scriptures.

The passage is perfectly balanced and reflects itself.

08 | RECHARGE (Bible study)

Jesus is not saying it is generally impossible to have two masters. But, if the two masters are these particular ones, it is impossible.

The word for wealth here is mamonas (3126) in the Greek. This word didn’t simply mean money or riches. In Aramaic, the language Jesus was speaking, Mamon was the name of a Syrian god, the personification of wealth itself, derived from the Aramaic word meaning “to have confidence or trust in.” God and Mamon are something or someone you place trust in, rely on, and they are diametrically opposed.

What link do you think there is between this passage and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30? Who gave the servants the wealth? What did their actions show about how they viewed both a) wealth and b) the Master?

Interestingly, we don’t see Jesus speaking against possessions or wealth, or even against being a consumer. We are designed to consume. But He does challenge us to consider our relationship to wealth and also to the One who provides all that we have.

SYNC:

by Nathan Brown

BOOK RE VIEW

Stuff

or at , k edit a is boo y in Victori n w ro n pa nB ve.

Natha lishing Com Try To Belie Pub hy I Signs uthor of W and a

CONVERSATION SPARKS Ask your family and friends for their responses to these questions, and share and compare them with your answers.

It has been said that the second most common topic in Jesus’ teaching was money. Why do you think this is such a dominant theme?

Why do you think money is so dominant in our society?

Why is shopping considered fun by so many people? Why is it such a common leisure activity in our society?

Do you regularly give money to your church, whether tithe, offerings or other donations?

Why or why not?

If you were given $1 million dollars, what would you really do with it?

MEANING HUNTER After reading this issue of MyEDGEMag, how would you explain the importance of the questions of money and consumerism to living life with faith?

At what point, do you believe that consumerism becomes a problem?

GOD HAS CREATED MANY GOOD THINGS FOR US TO ENJOY, SO WE SHOULD ENJOY AND CELEBRATE HIS GOODNESS IN THESE THINGS.

vs

FAMILY Dynamics

How important is money when you consider possible jobs or careers? If you receive government or parental allowances, or wages from a part-time or full-time job, is the amount you receive enough? Why or why not? How can you guard against consumerism in your life choices and priorities? Do you pay tithe or give to charities even if only receiving small amounts of money? Why or why not?

What was your first job and how much were you paid? Have you always paid tithe on your income? Why or why not? In what ways have you prioritised giving in your life? What is the thing you most wanted to buy that you might now regret? What have you done in your life to guard against being consumed by consumerism? What is the best financial advice you have every been given?

PARENT

young person

T MIGHT BE A TEMPTATION but Help! I’ve Been Blessed! cannot be dismissed as a rich white guy complaining about first-world problems; rather, it is someone authentically seeking to follow Jesus through a set of circumstances not so different from what many of us are blessed with and struggle with, whether we admit it or not.

Yes, author Julian Archer retired from his family’s successful businesses in his 30s but he also found he had to work hard to maintain his faith as his financial blessings increasingly felt like spiritual curses. As such, reading Help! I’ve Been Blessed! feels like a conversation with a wise friend.

The insights and reflections have been hard won through personal experiences and struggles.

Duelling Ideas

JESUS SAID THAT OUR LIVES SHOULD NOT CONSIST OF THINGS, SO ANY THING MORE THAN OUR BASIC NEEDS IS A DISTRACTION FROM LIVING FAITHFULLY.

I

Julian admits he began writing this as a personal journal but the book has grown into more than that as he addresses the spiritual questions raised by financial success from many different angles. He shares strategies he and his family have put in place to safeguard their faith and life perspectives.

Help! I’ve Been Blessed! is also supported by a website—<www. faith-vs-finance.org>—that offers appendices to the book, video clips and discussion sheets, which fit this book for use in small groups and similar settings. (discussion q&a) SYNC | 09

Crossing The Line

s in le live pinga , Victoria, k Rip g Dere ing Place managin ch r/ Laun o-founde company. c IT is and tor of an direc

DEREK RIPPINGALE INTERVIEWS JULIAN ARCHER—AUTHOR OF HELP! I’VE BEEN BLESSED! —ABOUT WALKING THE DANGEROUS LINE BETWEEN WEALTH AND SPIRITUAL POVERT Y. DEREK: Coming from a family of serial entrepreneurs, you retired in your 30s, from a rewarding business career, and you started a ministry called “Faith vs Finance”. Tell us about that transition.

JULIAN: We sold the last of 12 family businesses in 2007. God had blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined.

Even though we worked faithfully to use the profits for His glory, I was hectically busy and continuously battling spiritual bankruptcy. I knew that regardless of how much I was “doing” for God, I didn’t have a saving relationship with Jesus. After fighting the “Faith vs Finance” battle for years, I finally completely surrendered to God and found true freedom. I was so excited by my new heart that I felt compelled to help others who were still in the battle.

DEREK: Australia has been through its longest economic boom period. What impact does affluence have on our personal spiritual lives?

JULIAN: Australia has been on an unprecedented affluence junket—overall it’s been up, up, up. Simultaneously, interest in Christianity has gone down, down, down. Affluence distracts us from eternal treasures. Gandhi got it pretty right when he said, “The fact is, the moment financial stability is assured, spiritual bankruptcy is also assured.”

DEREK: Are there any words of wisdom that you’ve come across that have been particularly helpful in your years of battling faith against finance?

JULIAN: How’s this one by John Wesley from 1789? “Wherever true Christianity spreads, it must cause diligence and frugality, which, in the natural course of things, must beget riches! And riches naturally beget pride, love of the world, and every temper that is destructive of Christianity.” Yikes!

10 | LIFE IN HD (interview)

DEREK: Can a Christian be rich and truly Christ-like?

JULIAN: Yes. But as Christ Himself said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” In our own power, we can’t be rich and Christian. But, with God, all things are possible. Deep, really deep in my heart I know that the more self-sufficient I become, the less Christ-like I become.

DEREK: In a day when most Christian books on money are about how to attract God’s financial blessings, why did you write HELP! I’ve Been Blessed! ?

JULIAN: So often, when God blesses us we start to worship His gifts instead of Him. Jesus then knocks on our heart’s door but our hearts so crowded with His material blessings that we have no time or room for Him. This response to being blessed makes the blessings a curse—an eternal curse.

DEREK: What are the warning signs that a Christian has started to worship God’s blessings rather than God Himself?

JULIAN: The first warning sign I experience is that I start to crop or drop my morning devotion time with God. It’s like the canary in the coal mine. When I see it happening, I know I need to immediately reprioritise my time. The second is that I see my time, my money, my thoughts and my energies being refocused onto worldly things. The things of earth grow strangely . . . bright!

DEREK: Are there any stories in the Bible that show how God’s blessings can become curses?

JULIAN: Heaps! Let me share just one. In Deuteronomy 6, the children of Israel are about to cross into the “land of

milk and honey” where material blessings flow like molten chocolate. God tells them that they are about to be blessed beyond their wildest dreams—a massive pay rise, a perfect life partner, winning the lottery— but He also gives them a warning, “When you have eaten and are full, then be careful not to forget the Lord.” What did Israel do? Hmmm.

DEREK: In your book HELP! I’ve Been Blessed! you say that you’ve got “manure in your wallet”. What do you mean by that?

JULIAN: Money is like manure. If you pile it up in one place, it starts to stink, but if you spread it around, it does a lot of good.

DEREK: What do you suggest as a first step for a person who realises their lifestyle is damaging their spiritual life?

JULIAN: Have a heart attack! It really comes down to complete surrender. Let God give you a new heart that is no longer attracted and distracted by the things this world offers (see Ezekiel 36:25–27). That doesn’t mean wearing an old hessian overcoat and living in poverty. It means that regardless of how God is blessing you, you give it all to Him—your time, talents, treasures and body temple—and use it all for His glory, not your own.

DEREK: How can young people immunise themselves against the distorted messages about money and possessions that the media pushes?

Money is

JULIAN: It’s an old line but it’s as true as ever: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangely dim.” Make time every day to read about, talk about and talk to Jesus.

The closer you come

like Manure . . .

Listen less to the

travel agents and

more to the

real estate agents

to Him, the less you will desire earthly possessions and worldly experiences.

DEREK: Debt levels among young adults have significantly increased. What practical principles does the Bible offer that can guide their financial decisionmaking? What’s an example of where biblical wisdom directly counters what passes for worldly financial wisdom?

JULIAN: The world tells us “You deserve it” and then encourages us to go into debt to acquire and experience things that we don’t really need—and maybe don’t deserve! We’re told every day that “It’s all about you,” but Jesus comes along and humbly explains that “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The media tells us to get as much as we can, but Jesus says— actually He commands us—“Do not lay up your treasures on earth.”

DEREK: Young adults are living at home longer because of increased financial pressures. How can they balance concerns about getting a good start and providing well for their future family while not crossing the materialism line?

JULIAN: There’s a strange phenomenon going on. Many young people are under “increased financial pressures” but they’re simultaneously travelling the world and spending like no previous generation. I encourage them to listen less to the travel agents and more to the real estate agents.

Then they’ll be better able to provide for their future families. I believe that, as soon as they can, young people should try to buy a very basic piece of real estate. Every family should do all they can to try to have a humble roof over their heads. That’s really hard to do at 36,000 feet!

DEREK: What habits should a young person cultivate to help them be a good steward and not let their finances get control of them?

JULIAN: Live by the “Three Tens”. The first 10 per cent of your income goes straight back to God—we call it tithe. The second 10 per cent goes to offerings, charities and gifts.

The third 10 per cent goes to “untouchable” savings—to be used for real emergencies, or for a future house deposit or similar family investment. Start the “Three Tens” ASAP. DEREK: What financial goals should a young person have? In the longer term, how much is enough?

JULIAN: Financial goals change due to life stages but three timeless principles are: 1. The borrower is slave to the lender.

Avoid debt wherever possible—and pay it off as fast as possible.

2. God wants to provide all your needs, so make decisions that help Him, not hinder Him. 3. Don’t transfer your eternal priorities onto temporary stuff. It’s all gonna burn!

How much is enough? Jesus is enough.

The person who has Jesus, and everything, has no more than the person who has Jesus alone. Work enough to provide for the needs of yourself and others but stay close to Christ, because ultimately nothing else matters.

If anyone wants to chat more about this topic, feel free to contact Julian via <www.Faith-vs-Finance. org> or check out his book Help! I’ve Been Blessed!

Available from Adventist Book Centres.

(interview) LIFE IN HD | 11

Weekly Spending in

Australia

state

vs

stat e

Australian

Average

$1500 $1241

$1285

$223.00

$1044

Housing costs

$1265

$193.00 Transport costs TASSIE SPENDS

82% LESS THAN SA ON

$161.00 Recreation costs

$1225

PERFUME $0.20

(TAS)

vs $1.09 (SA)

$1064

$59.00 Household equip

A.C.T spend nearly

$44.00 Clothing/shoes 12 | INFOGRAPHIC

DOUBLE

Queenslanders

what NT spend on

dental

Chocolate $2.43

(nT)

vs $5.46 (ACT)

spend the most on

$9.15 per week

RECORD BREAKING

Australians bought a record number of new cars in 2015, eclipsing 1.1 million sales for the fourth year in a row.

2015

— WWW.CARSGUIDE.COM.AU

Sales of small cars were overtaken by SUVs. 355,793

small cars

vs

408,471

SUVs

Toyota was the top-selling car brand overall for the 13th consecutive year.

recent Research suggest up to one in 12 Australian shoppers suffer with oniomania.

Oniomania

— WWW.PSYCHOLOGY.ORG.AU

medical term used to describe

compulsive shopping for compulsive

tips shoppers

Almost of

half

Australians are in

debt

$ $

Write a list of the things you need to buy before you go shopping—and stick to the list.

$ $

When you do need to go shopping, consider taking someone with you so that they can help you limit your purchases to only the things that you need.

Avoid going to shopping centres where you will be tempted to browse in stores—for example, go to a supermarket that is not located within a larger shopping complex.

Try to identify the negative thoughts or situations that might underlie your need to shop, then try to reframe this in a more positive and helpful way, working toward finding a solution.

information taken from: <www.carsguide.com.au>, <www.psychology.org.au>, <www.moneysmart.gov.au>.

For the

of

love money

...

by Julie Catton

H

AVE YOU EVER DREAMED ABOUT getting a whole lot of money? Imagining the house you would live in, the car you would drive, the clothes you would wear and even the holidays you could take (first class, of course)! It really does take you to a consumeristic happy place! In Canada recently, their “gold lotto” went for $1.5 billion. That amount of money is hard to get your head around!

Now think about that Bible verse, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Does this mean we aren’t allowed to have any money? Should we all be taking vows of poverty?

, lbourne s in Me tton live Children’s a C lie is Ju e , and Victoria Director for th . ies Ministr n Conference a Victori

Martin Luther once said “three conversions are necessary when a person decides to follow Christ: the conversion of the heart, the conversion of the mind, and the conversion

14 | BUMP (discipleship)

of the purse.”

So what does a “conversion of the purse” actually look like?

how we feel about money can have a big impact.

Take a closer look at 1 Timothy 6:10.

That first bit “For the love of money” is the key part that needs to be considered carefully. Money is important and we need it for even basic living. But how we feel about money can have a big impact on how we view it and then how we use it.

If we love our money, we’ll keep it close to us. We’ll spend it only on ourselves, use it only for personal gain. It becomes a driver for how we live, how we work and how we spend. A love of money will usually lead to a love of things, which in turn drives us toward consumerism in order to get as much “stuff” as we can.

If, however, we don’t love our money, we can see it simply as a tool to use for basic necessities. Then, more importantly, we can use it in the way God leads. There are so many needs, so many people hurting, so much to be done. Being generous with

our money, using it in a way that helps more people know about a God who loves them, that’s far from “evil”. It isn’t loving our money; it’s loving the Person who gave us that money and allowing it to be used for a greater purpose.

If you’ve ever played Monopoly, you’ll know what a cutthroat game it can be. Many a friendship or relationship has been strained in the midst of a particularly gruelling and nasty game. So it might surprise you that the original inventor, Lizzie Magie, had a different vision for the game. In her version, when one person made lots of money, it benefited everyone. She wanted to create a place where generosity was encouraged and consumerism discouraged. It seems we’re a long way off her original idea, not only in the game but also in life.

Some people are blessed with wealth. God can and does do that. But never so that we can cruise through life. A person with money has a huge responsibility to not only make sure it doesn’t become their first love, but to use it generously to show the world what a Christ-like love looks like, as we give whole heartedly of our time, love and money.

Stress less

by Ellesha Knight

I

REMEMBER AS A KID hearing a common word float around that I didn’t really understand. It seemed to be a problem for everyone. The word was “stress”. I heard it circulating all the time and it got me curious. When I finally learned what it meant, I still didn’t really understand it. My young self thought, If you’re tired, sleep. If you’re too busy, do less. I couldn’t understand why people became stressed, when all they had to do was slow down!

Ignorance is bliss. With growing up comes many lovely things, including work, responsibility and this “stress” concept. I didn’t understand it then, but I do now.

As funny as it sounds, it’s shockingly true. This is the life we have created for ourselves.

We work as hard as we can to afford the things we think we need, to have the life we think we want.

A study conducted in 2013 by the Australian Psychological Society revealed that more than 73 per cent of Australians were experiencing negative health affects due to stress. The age group experiencing the most amount of stress was young adults and students, who also reported lower levels of wellbeing than any other age group. This seems really backwards to me, as young adulthood should be the prime of our life! Looking into it further, more than 52 per cent of these young adults reported financial burden to be the cause of their stress.

this is the life we have created for ourselves.

There’s a saying that pops up in my newsfeed every so often that says: “Normal is getting dressed in the clothes you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car you’re still paying for, to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes, the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it” (Ellen Goodman).

Society puts a lot of pressure on young people to be successful and live the life everyone dreams of. In our desperate struggle for consolidation, we often lose perspective. If we don’t have that car by 25, we have failed. If we haven’t travelled the world and accumulated more than 2000 Instagram followers along the way, we have failed.

TIPS ‘N TRICKS > START YOUR DAY WITH A MOTIVE TO PAY IT FORWARD. Even if you don’t know what you’re going to do, at some point in the day aim to make somebody else’s life easier. Whether it be changing a flat tire or paying for somebody’s drink, do something that’s not for you. These tiny acts can make the biggest difference. > CREATE A BUCKET LIST. Crossing something off a bucket list can be so unusually rewarding, and it’s a good way to keep focused on moving forward. Create yourself a list of goals and accomplish them one at a time.

> TAKE PHOTOS AND CAPTURE MOMENTS, but then put your phone away and really be there. We tend to exist through our social media accounts, valuing the way our lives look as opposed to how they really might be. Before we know it, memories have happened but we’re still editing our picture. Switch your phone off and live in the moment you’ve just captured. > EXPLORE! Take yourself on regular adventures to places you have never been before. We are inquisitive by nature, so fill that curiosity through healthy adventure.

The saying “less is more” didn’t just happen by itself. Those words hold significant truth and apply to so many aspects of life. The more we have, the more we want until it becomes an insatiable thirst that can never be quenched. It’s often when we have the least amount of “stuff” that we discover we don’t really need all that much anyway!

1 Timothy 6:8 put it like this: “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Earthly possessions and the struggle to be as good as that person with the Rolex can destroy our happiness. While we are standing here trying to figure out how to frame the perfect photo, life is happening—and we might be missing it.

Take a step back, relax and want for nothing but the voice of the Saviour.

He will show you how to succeed, and it will be unlike anything this world can offer.

Ellesh Victo a Knight li ria, a ves in n of Oc d is stud Melbourn ying a cupa e, La Tro tional The Masters ra be Un iversit py at y.

> DON’T BE A CRAB IN THE BUCKET. Have you ever seen crabs pulling other crabs back down in order to be the first to escape from the bucket? Often we can’t stand to see others succeed when we are not. It takes a lot to see somebody flourish and be genuinely happy for them when we feel the opposite about our own lives. Trust that God knows exactly what He’s doing with your life, let go, and be OK with waiting.

HEALTHY LIVING | 15

An Ethical

initiative

by Amy Pitt

16 | WORLD CHANGER

E

VERYONE LOVE A GOOD MARKET, BUT IT CAN BE A MINEFIELD TRYING to find an decent gift, especially in a Christmas-fuelled, consumer-driven frenzy! Not so at the Ethical Christmas Night Markets in Warrandyte, Victoria— the brainchild of five 19-year-old ladies, who believed that social justice wasn’t something they’d just talk about.

The Ethical Christmas Night Markets were held on December 8 at Warrandyte Community Church, and more than 2000 people flocked to purchase stationery, home decor, accessories, clothing, children’s toys and more! Amy Pitt interviewed three of the co-organisers to find out more.

The injustices in the consumer cycle can only be changed by one group—the consumers.

Am bach y Pitt is s elor o tudy and lo f arts in M ing a ves a e good lbourne, story.

WHAT WAS THE ETHICAL NIGHT MARKET ALL ABOUT?

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BE INVOLVED?

WHY IS ETHICAL BUYING IMPORTANT?

LAURA

JORDAN

| The injustices in the consumerism cycle can only be changed by one group—the consumers. We control the supply-and-demand curve with the choices we make when shopping.

Currently, there is a great demand for cheap and fast goods. However, this demand is far too taxing for our suppliers, leaving them with no choice but to cut corners and neglect the lives of their employees and the environment. Thus, ethical buying is a way to change the demand for a more just and sustainable future. It is important to choose buying ethically because if we create a demand for ethical goods, the supply will follow.

| It was essentially a market where ethical businesses could sell their products and raise awareness of their brand and cause. It also enabled customers to purchase products in line with ethical values. We had a number of categories including Fairtrade, environmentally friendly, organic, vegan, recycled, a social enterprise and/ or handmade. We had more than 40 stallholders in total and more than 2100 people attend. We also were able to raise funds through donations at the door for TEAR Australia.

Event

organ

isers:

Grace

, Jorda

n, Kath yrn, La

ura, Ju

lia.

| There was an incredible amount of support throughout the process, from the early stages of planning, on the night and so much positive feedback after the event. It was empowering to be able to reach out to so many people and to contribute to something we’re passionate about!

Everyone responded really well to the concept and we had many people asking what they could do, even though we were just a bunch of 18 or 19 year olds. There was definitely a huge learning curve for us, as well as sellers and others involved, but I definitely found the overall experience to be really encouraging and valuable.

KATHRYN

WORLD CHANGER | 17

Brown Plains

Samoan Youth Group

T

HE BROWNS PLAINS SAMOAN Adventist Community Church youth group has grown rapidly during the past few years, and feels like a real family for all who go along. The group is always looking for opportunities to share the love of Jesus and has been involved with a number of events in the past year. The one that really stands out was a STORM Co trip with the New Life Church last December to the small indigenous community of Cherbourg, about three hours from Brisbane. The team that went spent five days hosting a variety of events, including a touch footy tournament (with prizes), a full fun day filled with rides, games, sports, free giveaways, several service projects including yard cleaning and help building a library, Christmas carol singing, fireworks, and even a visit to a nursing home for an old-time sing-a-long.

Each of these events gave the team members a range of new experiences to learn and grow from. It was daunting at first, but seeing the smiles on the local childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faces soon had the group feeling relaxed. Likewise, the local people. Seeing new people in their town 18 | STATUS UPDATE (youth group)

was different but they soon went out of their way to make our youth group feel welcome.

The trip to Cherbourg was a life changer. Our young people experienced so much and have changed a lot since seeing and meeting the people in this community. It was exciting to hear the testimonies given by our young people, with so many of them sharing similar stories of how they learned to appreciate what they have and how often then have taken things for granted. We are confident we have planted a seed in this place and are keen to continue the work of Christ.

the trip to Cherbourg was a life changer.

I truly believe that STORM Co is a blessing in our lives, especially seeing the joy it brings to others, and this makes it all the more reason to carry on doing Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handiwork. Our young people are already planning ahead and we have already run our first Adventist Youth program. Joining together with the Springwood Samoan church, the

program ran every Sabbath afternoon during January, then twice every month after. Other events planned include FUSE once a month, various socials and, as some of our young people missed out last December, advance planning for another STORM Co trip is definitely on the list.

In order for us to do all these things, we know we must remain committed to grow spiritually, physically and mentally throughout the year as a team.

To God be the Glory.

Audrey Lavea (Youth Leader)

THE WA LL T AUS

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DIVISI

ON

SOU

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WE ST

NO R

TH

W NE

ALES TH W U O S

www.WA.adventist.org.au/youth www.facebook.com/wayouth 08 9398 7222

www.NNSWyouth.com www.facebook.com/nnswyouthministries 02 4951 8088

www.youth.adventistconnect.org 02 9847 3221

Coming up...

Easter Camp 24-28 March, 2016

Coming up...

Big Camp 15-24 April, 2016

Coming up...

Move With The Power IV 9-13 August, 2016

D AN AL

MINISTRY MINISTRY.

MINISTRY.

T

MINISTRY.

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Coming up...

Youth Week Of Prayer Roadtrip 18-24 March, 2016

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TH W A SOU

www.SNSWyouth.adventist.org.au Twitter - @S7youthdirector 02 6249 6822

Coming up...

Youth 4WD Camp 21-25 April, 2016

Coming up...

Carins Youth Weekend 15-17 April, 2016

GRE AT E

HN

www.TASyouth.adventist.org.au 03 6273 6277

www.NAyouth.adventist.org.au www.facebook.com/NorthQLDandNTsdayouth 07 4779 3988

www.sydneyadventistyouth.com www.facebook.com/sydneyadventistyouth Twitter - @sydadvyth 02 9868 6522 Coming up...

Youth Rally 18 June, 2016

Coming up...

Easter Camp 24-28 March, 2016

Coming up...

Rechargeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Young Adult Retreat 29 April - 1 May, 2016

SOU T

Coming up...

North NZ Youth Rally 4 June, 2016 Southern Youth Rally 21 May, 2016

LIA TRA S U NA

YDN RS

www.VICyouth.com www.facebook.com/vicyouth Twitter - @vicyouth 03 9264 7740

www.SQyouth.org.au www.facebook.com/SQyouth 07 3218 7777

S

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IA

MINISTRY.

www.NNZC.org.nz/youth www.SNZyouth.adventist.org.nz

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Black Transparent Box is not part of logo.

www.facebook.com/SAyouthministries 08 8269 2177 Coming up...

Big Camp 17-24 April, 2016

www.AUCyouth.com 03 9871 7555 Coming up...

Chosen For A Purpose 4-8 July, 2016

THE WALL | 19

Adventures that enrich more than just your own life

Are you raring to go on a truly enriching travel adventure, where you will get to experience first-hand international development work helping some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the world, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a team? Then Individual Trips are the perfect Connections Trips for you!

Work in incredible places to help some of the poorest people in the world, while making new mates from all over Australia!

Check out our Individuals Trips at: adra.org.au/connections

The roads in the Mekong Delta region are teetering on the edge of collapse because of natural disasters and intensified transport pressures. We need your help to provide more than just a quick fix for the local community who use these dangerous roads every day to maintain their livelihoods.

Register now to get this show on the road by emailing:

connections@adra.org.au

Rural Roads Repair Vietnam June 2016