The Heresy of Complacency

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40

What's driving me to drink this week is complacency. I, like many others and probably yourself, have been watching closely as the debt ceiling standoff goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on.....

We are frighteningly close to driving the American economy off a cliff. I say we, because despite some compelling arguments that the immediate problem we're facing is caused by house Republicans, I don't buy it. At least I don't think the problem started there. In fact, the problem started with one of the most insidious heresies to ever plague the Christian faith, and the faith of Abraham, Moses, and the Prophets before it: selfishness, plain and simple. And not the selfishness of a few, but the selfishness of just about everyone involved.

It's not just Republicans or Democrats. It's not just the House, the Senate, or the President. It's all of us together--those who voted, and especially those who did not--with our own ideas, ideologies, and priorities at heart. It's everyone who has the luxury of insisting on their own way, expecting the other side to blink. It's everyone who goes to the voting booth asking the question, "what's in it for me?"

What compels me to say this, is that I bear my own share of the blame. I haven't written or called any of my elected leaders.

The first reason is that I'm not sure what I would say...I don't have an ironclad solution, although like every other American, I have plenty of opinions.

The second and deeper reason is something I'm ashamed to admit: I confess that I have said nothing because whatever happens on Tuesday, I know that two weeks from then, I'll still get paid. About the years to come, who can say? I hear dire predictions of economic collapse, I hear of another recession or even depression...but the repercussions for me personally would be more distant.

I confess that I've pontificated now and then, moaned to those who will listen about the sad state of affairs, but not actually done much...and the reason is that I've failed to love my neighbors as myself.

I've failed to feel compassion for the dread of those who will immediately be cut off from unemployment, from WIC, from food stamps, from Social Security, from stable employment in the federal or state government. I've failed to pray the prayers of those who, months later, will be laid off from entry-level jobs in the private sector when the economy does take its predicted downturn, as if they were my own. I've failed to work and pray alongside countless families globally who might have a chance at scraping by with the development that American foreign aid might provide, but who otherwise will starve. I've failed to hear the cries of all those millions who, for whatever reason, are hanging by a thread, and who unless something is done in the next few days, will see that thread cut.

Any attempt by followers of Christ, or people of any faith, for that matter, to justify this complacency--this tendency to "look out for number one"--is nothing short of heresy. It is a direct denial of the Greatest Commandment of Jesus: to love God with heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Contrary to much modern Christian theology, care for the poor is not optional. In fact, we don't even have the option of giving it "second fiddle" status to a spiritualized, individualized idea of "eternal salvation." Even speaking as a tried-and-true, cradle Lutheran, believing that only the grace of God through faith in Christ can bring about forgiveness of sins and access to eternal life, I can't deny that in the biblical witness, concern for the poor is often lifted up as having eternal consequences.

What can we do? I'd say, pray about it, and read your Bible. Let the frustration you feel, drive you to drink from the well of God's word.

If, based on prayer and scripture, you believe the best way to care for the poor is by capping or reducing taxes, no matter what, fine. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your next steps. (tithing to your church and offering some of your tax savings to religious organizations which feed and care for the poor and elderly might be a good idea.)

And if, based on prayer and scripture, you believe the best way to care for the poor is by supporting and improving the social programs already out there, no matter what, fine. I pray the Spirit's guidance for you, too. (But remember to avoid making an idol of any human program or government order...tithing and charitable giving are still part of the equation for every disciple of Christ!)

But whatever God leads you to do, even if it leads you into debate with other Christians, know that it's better than doing nothing. Complacency is heresy. The law of Christ is compassion.