One would think there are few
reasons, if any, the economically challenged individuals of the world are
highly valued to God in their role of fulfilling the Great Commission. However
if one were to think that it would indeed show their arrogance for there are at
least three reasons an economically challenged individual fulfills valued roles
as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, is simply this, a valued
disciple, “make[s] disciples… and baptize[s] them in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.”[1]
Yes, the command is to go to all nations, but all nations include this nation
and the nations of those who are poor. Therefore the only detraction for those
who are economically challenged in being a valued disciple of Jesus Christ
would be that of unbelief. One cannot be a valued disciple of Jesus if one is
not a Christian, that is, if one does not have the saving faith of Jesus being
one’s only hope for redemption sent from God dying in their place for their
crimes (sins) against God. Indeed the primary and most important requirement
for being a valued disciple of Jesus is simply faith that he is one’s Savior
and besides him there is no other. Truly, “without faith it is impossible to
please God.”[2]
Thus, the reality in which God sees
his disciples is as his beloved children in whom he is well pleased because of
Jesus’ saving work; he is pleased in them and with them because they have faith.
But what of seeming obvious detriments to being economically challenged and
faithfully fulfilling the Great Commission?
Time would seem to be a deterrent for one to fulfill valued
roles as a disciple. If one’s time is spent doing work necessary to make ends
met and fend for one’s family then one is naturally bound by the same reality
of time. They cannot work the required hours to make ends meet then use the
leftover time, however brief, to fulfill the Great Commission well.
But the parable of the Widow’s Mite[3]
would be applicable here in informing our understanding of the value God has
placed on those with little. While the rich give it is from their abundance, but
the poor give from their poverty giving the greater gift because it actually
costs them something whether that something is a weekly meal, clean water,
mosquito net or all of these. Therefore the value of the disciple would perhaps
be more than those who give out of their abundance not thinking of the cost to
them.
Yet as we have learned in class
people are the true wealth of economies. Thus, I would submit, the economy of
God is shown to be truly wealthy by not merely the members it currently
enraptures but the members who are yet to be enraptured by the saving grace of
Jesus Christ proclaimed through current disciples. We are, if we are to take
this idea of mankind being the wealth of economies literally, the wealth of
God’s economy. Valued and made worthy by God himself. Thus in treasuring us he
truly values himself for his redemption is complete in his love for us, which
is his love for himself in us. But it still remains to be seen how do
economically challenged individuals help the world around them?
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