Thinking About Walden

Henry David Thoreau believed that humans were innately good and could live life in harmony with nature. Indeed, God declared creation to be very good (Genesis 1:31.) However, Thoreau understood that humanity’s greed leads to exploitation and diminishes our environment, our health, and our happiness. The desire of Adam and Eve to have more than what God had provided led to disobedience and the Fall of creation.

A vegetarian who avoided rich, processed food, Thoreau decided to demonstrate a life of simplicity and self-reliance by living for two years on Walden Pond. Minimalism was his goal, believing that possessions increased labor and stress in both getting and keeping them.

People can live on much less than they suppose. Stone Age humans only needed a few hours a week to gather basic needs. This left time for them to develop culture. But when agriculture created abundance, the market emerged and with it the accumulation of wealth. So, we began to put in extra hours because time became money.

The biblical principle of gleaning helps mitigate our tendency to hoard. Farmers were not to harvest the corners of their fields. These crops were to be left for the poor and strangers traveling through your land. Likewise, whatever fell to the ground was not to be gathered.

The Sabbath also mitigates against greed. Servants, animals, and the land are all to be given time off, instead of being exploited to squeeze out the last bit of profit. The owners, too, were to rest.

The Year of Jubilee was the best counter to the desire to amass wealth. Every fifty years land was to be returned to the original owners, debts were to be forgiven, and slaves were set free.

Jesus taught us to consider the birds in the air and the flowers in the field (Matthew 6:25-34.) God provides for them and provides for us. Humans are a part of God’s creation and can live in harmony with all creation.

In “Walden,” Thoreau addressed the greediness of society over 150 years ago. A reckless selfishness that leads away from peace of mind and is ultimately self-destructive.

Gift Giving at Christmas

Message from Sunday,
November 29:

Gift Giving at Christmas
(Matthew 2:1-2,11-12)




An appropriate attitude towards gift giving can reduce holiday stress and multiply the joy.

It's all His Anyway 2

Message from Sunday,
November 1:

It's all His Anyway (Psalm 89:11)

God owns all things and we are only the managers, therefore what we do with our stuff matters.

Even our poor are rich

Poverty and prosperity are relative terms. For example if you own a car, you are among the wealthiest people in the world. At the same time if you feel the need to impress others with your material wealth, you will never have enough.

I once observed villagers in Ecuador who lived in bamboo huts. They were lacking in material wealth but seemed to be happy. They had families and friends, the children played games and the adults worked. I realized just how easy it is to be happy if we don’t become obsessed with getting more.

I have a friend who lives off a monthly disability check and lives in a Section 8 subsidized apartment. All his needs are met at a very modest level. He enthusiastically volunteers his time for a variety of ministries. He understands that God has put him in a unique position to be a missionary to his apartment building and his neighborhood. He does not view himself as poor but, rather, called to a sacrificial way of life.

When we learn to simplify our lives and live within our means, a world of possibilities is opened up for us.

Another friend found herself alone and impoverished when her husband left her following a crippling accident. Unable to work she went about learning how to prosper in her poverty. She spent many hours at the library enjoying the air conditioning and learning how to fend for herself.

She went to a local grocer and said that she would give him a quarter everyday for all the spoiled produce. She would salvage the edible portions and make a stew. Later, she made a deal with an elderly man in her apartment building, to cook his meals if he would pay for the groceries. They then shared the meal.

She never felt sorry for herself nor envied what others had. She was content where she was and grateful when her prospects improved. She looked back on those days as character building not misfortune.

Certainly to have is usually better than to have not but the chronically dissatisfied and, especially, the greedy will never be content. “A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.” Proverbs 28:25

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12