Poverty - According to Derek Webb

There is a song by Derek Webb called "Rich Young Ruler". When it comes to our attitude about poverty in the west I think he hits it right on the head.


Rich Young Ruler

(vs. 1)
poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me

(vs. 2)
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me

(bridge)
because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me

This song strikes a cord with me. I can picture Jesus saying this to us. For some reason we have it in our heads that giving money is all that is needed to help destroy poverty. How very wrong we are.

I remember when the woman from Compassion International came to chapel. She said one thing I have never been able to get out of my head. She asked us to be the voice of these children. The exact same thing Jesus wants of us. He isn't as interested in our money as he is our time.

Then think of all the luxuries we have. We can do without so many of the things we have. We taken it all for granted. We justify not doing that by talking about how we live and keep the commandments. Derek show us how WE are the rich young ruler.