downward mobility
Our society is obsessed with success, and this success is defined in a very specific way. Our society calls us to live a life that seeks more comforts than our parents had, each generation is supposed to have a bigger house, more cottages, more travel, more money, newer cars, better things.
The goal of so many people in this world is to move up in the social class structure.
Just look at the difference in these wine commercials.
Both of these use the same sort of technique to get us to purchase wines, they suggest that their wines will increase the joy of the family get together. The second one, however, shows a much higher level of living. The houses are bigger. The celebration is bigger. Even the gatherings are bigger.
The Christian, however, is called to a much different lifestyle. We are called to sell our stuff and give to the poor. We are called to share what we have with those in need. We are called to downward, instead of upward, mobility.
This is so hard to do. Our culture encourages mass consumption. Mass accumulation. If we run out of room in our normal storage spaces, we can rent storage lockers or rooms down at the local storage space, even though we have WAY more storage space in our houses than our parents and grandparents did.
I have to admit that I have bought into this in many ways. I am constantly thinking about ‘upgrading’ whatever I have. My computer is old and slow, should get an upgrade. My car is getting a bit older, should think about upgrading it. The list goes on and on.
But what if we took Jesus seriously when he called us to a life of simplicity? What if we could sell some of our stuff, or at least refuse to add to the stuff we have without getting rid of some of what we do have? What if we were able to live simply so that others can simply live?
Can we live a story which runs counter to the consumption story that we have been living for so long?
I wonder.
Chad, thanks for this. In a chapter on vocation in my book on heaven (www.nathanbooks.com/heaven) I talk about Carl Dill, a Christian who rose through the ranks and became VP at Time Warner, who turned heads there for his quiet, servant leadership. I use his example to affirm that Christians should work and serve in Manhattan skyscrapers as well as anywhere else.
Then in my next chapter I talk about Henri Nouwen and downward mobility.
I talk about both men when I teach vocation to students here at Calvin. But I’ve discovered that no one wants to be Nouwen; they all want to be Carl Dill! They want the Manhattan skyscraper. Kind of discouraging.
I agree that we can serve in both places, my argument is not about moving up the career ladder, gaining more success in the jobs that God has given us. My question is with the fact that we also buy into the myth that our success in these other spheres gives us the right or privilege to collect all the trappings associated with these positions. I am not talking about working as a VP in the Manhattan skyscrapers or working at a non-profit with the homeless. My questions is whether we work in the Manhattan skyscraper or with the homeless should the trappings of our lives be different?
Here is the main question behind the post; Is the Christian executive entitled to the big house and car because that is the world he moves it, or should he live as though he worked for a non-profit with the homeless?
excellent question; thanks!