I have been reading this book, its been the topic of discussion among youth workers and justice advocates throughout the country. I thought I would share my own excerpts from a chapter (How our check books can be a tool for justice) that was written by a good friend, mentor, of mine Dr. Larry Acosta. Get a copy here
Whether we live in an urban, rural, or suburban context, we are Now making either/or choices with our checkbooks and finances everyday. Yet we who have enough money to do what God is calling us to Now often take that for granted. We can easily slip into the cultural trap of feeling like we’re entitled to keep buying bigger and better. We spend more time thinking about what we want to do with “our money” then we spend considering how God wants us to use what we have for peace, reconciliation, and justice. We fixate on how we’re going to spend what we have, and our money consumes us.
Not only am I amazed by the courage of the many Micha 6:8Micha 6:8
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good.
What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly,
To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? kingdom revolutionaries, I am also challenged by their rejection of our materialistic world-views. In a world that Now tempts us to follow the “American Dream”, where all that matter is the stuff we accumulate, their kingdom choice to be downwardly mobile both socially and finically as a way of righting wrongs is inspiring. Most people who have the educational or financial wherewithal to live in self focused comfort do. Most folk, even Christians spend their lifetimes trying to climb socially prescribed ladders of success, to prove they’ve made it.
I am speaking from experience. I grew up poor and, as a Latino, felt the pressure to prove myself by the dominant culture’s standards. Like so many who grow up feeling marginalized socially, economically, or otherwise, I compensated for feeling “less then” by excelling educationally. This eventually gave me access to a job as a youth worker in a thriving suburban church. Once I had enough degrees and the right youth ministry title on my business card, I felt like I- the son of a janitor- had finally made it.
After 10 years of youth ministry at that church, my wife, Jayme, and I sensed God calling us to leave the comforts of the church and reengage my Latino roots by launching KidWorks, a community development corporation that seek to holistically transform at-risk neighborhoods, and the Hispanic Ministry Center, an urban leadership development in Santa Ana, California. It was there that my theological beliefs about justice, my commitment to Gods kingdom, and my willingness to give up my selfish ambition were rigorously tested.
Principles to help us live justly
1. Trust God by giving Him the “first fruits.” 2 Cor. 8:7
2. Save Proverbs 6:6-8Proverbs 6:6-8
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard.
Consider her ways, and be wise;
7 Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provides her bread in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
3. Create and live within a written budget.
4. Carve out kingdom giving that is sacrificial
Larry Acosta is the President and Founder of the Hispanic Ministry Center, Urban Youth Workers Institute & KIDWORKS. Larry is a pastor to young pastors providing these men and women not only with practical tools, resources and training, but the much needed encouragement and validation to the calling of God on their lives. With true visionary zeal, Larry connects, equips, and drives these leaders to the next level of ministry effectiveness and leadership.
Larry graduated from both Biola University and Talbot School of Theology and completed his doctorate in Leadership Development at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is President of Urban Youth Workers Institute, with a full-time staff of 17. However his claim to fame is that he is married to his lovely wife of 16 years, Jayme, and they have four wonderful children, Brock (11), Karis (10) and Malia (5) and Diego (3).
