I have been thinking of the concern most people have with their return on the dollar (or yen, euro, bolivar, etc.) and the ever increasing need for imediate gratification. How much bang do I get for my buck? What's it going to cost me? When am I going to see a return on my investment? Like the fast food consumer, we want it our way, we want it now, and we want change back from our dollar.
The same attitude persists in the realm of Christianity today. After many hours logged in the pew, countless (or counted and here's your receipt sir) dollars have been dropped into the collection plate, prayers have been offered, and resources have been spent and energy expended a problem arises. It may be a big problem, or it may be a little problem. It may be medical, relational, financial. Whatever the problem, the request goes out to God to solve it and the thoughts go back to the cost of following him and people expect to see a return. I'll have my miracle now please, and oh, do not forget the mayo. Let me have it my way, and let me have it now!
Whatever happened to following the Lord without counting the cost? Whatever happened to waiting upon the Lord? What ever happened to "not my will, but yours, oh Lord." These things have fallen to a religion that says you can have it all and you can have it your way, and yes, you can have it now. I reject such religion and its commercial use of God. "send me twenty dollars and your miracle is on its way." Pshaw. Such things are an offense to God. It makes God into a fast food miracle stand, and it requires the "believer" to overcome nothing, not even their own self centered preoccupation. God does not pass out miracle cures avery day. God does not promise an immediate return on our investment. Though He may graciously answer our request, we have no right to make demands.
Some may ask then if I do not believe in miracles. Sure I do. But the point of miracles is that they are not everyday occurances, but the supernatural intervention of God into normal affairs. If we were to expect miracles at every turn the they would no longer be miracles, but they would be part of the normal landscape of life.
The problem, I think, is that we have turned the financial picture upside down. It is not we who should be seeking a return on our investment, but it is God who is looking for a return on His investment. If we rightly consider the price paid for us by Christ, we should no longer count the cost of following Him, but should offer ourselves up gladly to him. We are no longer our own, but we were bought with a price. He has paid for us, and not the other way around. The consumer mentality says we paid our tithe, now give us the blessing. The Consecrated mentality says we have given you only what was already yours.
