What have you given up for the sake of Christ?

What has your Christian faith required you to sacrifice?

A job? A relationship? Money and financial security? A hobby, a lifelong dream?

Michael Spencer has a thought-provoking post (well, part rant and part post) about "suburban Christianity" and our tendency to twist Jesus' teachings around until they fit more comfortably into the American Dream. I'm sure you've heard critiques like this before (or thought them yourself), but Spencer has a way of wording it that feels almost like a punch in the gut:

I’m basically talking about the fact that if a person follows Jesus at all there is going to be some sacrifice involved. Economic sacrifice. Sacrifice of security. Sacrifice of certainty. If someone wants Jesus without the call to discipleship that means they either a) give up making a lot of money or b) give away your money? Fine, but that’s another Jesus.

This is the sort of statement that I agree with in principle—that following Jesus with all your heart will require personal sacrifices that really, truly hurt. But there's another version of Christianity out there, one that tells us that Jesus wants us to be happy, healthy, and financially secure... and while I don't think that's Biblical Christianity, it sure sounds a heck of a lot better to me when I'm faced with uncertainty and challenges in my life.

Recently my family has been facing some challenges from different directions. Nothing extreme, and nothing that you haven't probably experienced yourself. But I've been doing a lot of praying lately. And I'm realizing that most of my prayers are aimed convincing God to not force me to make sacrifices in my life. I want to emerge from this (and any) challenge still connected to the American Dream: I want financial stability, good health, happy relationships.

Is that what I should be praying for?

Is that what you pray for when life/providence/God throws you a curveball?

What if sacrificing financial stability, good health, and happy relationships is the whole point, and our prayers for happy resolutions to all our problems are just us furiously clinging to a false "suburban Christianity"?

What do you think? Have you ever prayed for an easy solution to your problems, but secretly wondered if you were praying for the wrong thing? Have you felt called to abandon parts of the "American Dream" lifestyle for the sake of Christ? If not... do you think that's a problem?

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Comments (8)

Great article Andy.

I truly believe that a true christian who follows Christ will have to sacrifice something very valuable to him/her.

I think there are a lot more real Christians in China,N.Korea and Iran who sacrifice and suffer a lot for their beliefs than in the US where people live a comfortable life.
I think, to be fair, it is worth mentioning that non-suffering American Christians support countless world-wide & U.S. based mission endeavors & missionaries, discipleship groups, Biblical studies, VBS's, ESL's, universities, & pastors. It may not be "suffering" like our brothers and sisters outside the U.S., but it is still people giving up their lives to accomplish what Christ left His church to do; it is important.

On the surface, I have, in the flesh, given up a belief-structure, friends, family, safety, & finances to follow Christ. I have been despised & treated despitefully right here in the U.S.! If you were "raised in a Christian home" or even with a modicum of functionality, consider yourself blessed indeed. Lots of Americans don't have that background.

But back to the subject - beneath the surface, where it really counts, I have given up nothing - I was dead, and I got life eternal! I was grieved deeply, and I got joy! I was despised, and I got love! I was alone, and I got a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother! Oh, yes, I'm gonna share this Lord Jesus with everyone!

Disciple, I think you must mean, 'Where SOME people live a comfortable life.' And if you are one of those people, here are some suggestions for you TODAY: Gang outreach through innercity churches, big brothering/sistering kids in ghettoes & slums; spending tonight in a homeless shelter, donating to your food bank, working at your food bank, learning Spanish to reach undocumented aliens, rocking drug addicted babies in the hospital, working at a rehab center, volunteering to take HIV patients to doctors' visits...
Why is it more "holy" to think God want us to suffer, sacrifice, you fill in the blank than be happy, comfortable, or content? Are we painting a better picture of God when we think that way? Paul said he learned to be content with want and content with plenty. He learned to be all things to all men so that some might see and believe. Is our trust in God somehow proven more when we need new tires or have a hospital bill to pay and still mouth the words "Praise God!" ? Are there ways I could be a better steward of my time and resources? Yes, I am sure there are. But do I believe in a God who sends calamity my way to force my hand or a God who holds my hand in the midst of calamity wether the storm takes my home or spares it?
We have to live for God, God has given us everything, We have to do the will of God, that's all.
Right now, I am not too certain if God wants me to sacrifice a relationship.
What i'm praying for now is this:

That if this relationship is His plan for me, the whole universe will conspire to keep the two of us together.
If not, then everything in the universe will try to break us apart.

It's a really painful prayer as I really love the person I'm with.
But I know it's gonna cause a greater heartache if I don't follow His will.
I will really appreciate it if you pray for me and my loved one.
Hello Still Hopeful,

I notice that your comment was posted 7 months ago. Would you mind providing an update? I am going to through a similar situation and quite heavy hearted at times.

Thanks in advance for sharing!
A fellow brother over at "Truth Matters" is asking prayer and help for his mother who has cancer. His mother has had a bilateral masectomy and has also had her entire colon removed. Although her future is uncertain this family has been devasted with medical bills and they are asking for help. If anyone would like to put wings to their prayers you can do so at the following.
http://bloodtippedears.blogspo...

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