I remember that as a teenager who grew up in the church I had some biting criticism for the people in the church because I thought they were a bunch of hypocrites. They seemed to say one thing and do another.
Later in my young adulthood I joined my lot with this “bunch of hypocrites” and, despite my ideals, have become what I so despised. It has happened without much effort all along my life’s journey, perhaps most clearly in economic matters.
The ideals are clear. Jesus talks more about economics than any other topic. The list of texts is embarrassingly long!
Menno Simons, the namesake of our denomination, has some biting words for preachers and teachers like me:
- “Is it not sad and intolerable hypocrisy that people boast of having the Word of God, of being the true Christian church, yet never remembering that they have entirely lost their sign of true Christianity? For although many of them have plenty of everything, go about in silk and velvet, gold and silver, and in all manner of pomp and splendor; ornament their houses with all manner of costly furniture; have their coffers filled, and live in luxury and splendor, yet they suffer many of their own poor, afflicted members to ask alms; and poor hungry, suffering, old, lame, blind, and sick people to beg bread at their doors. Oh preachers, dear preachers, where is the power of the Gospel you preach?”
Ouch!
I have to admit that it is harder to practice the ideals of simplicity now that we are a double income family than it was when I was a poor college student. I claim to follow the Jesus who had no place to lay his head while I’m lying down in a queen size bed on a memory foam pillow.
Perhaps simplicity begins with gratitude and moves on to contentment, stewardship and generosity, while giving individuals and families the freedom to practice in their own unique ways.
It is a difficult journey and I also know we are not called to wallow in self-flagellation, as I am wont to do. Hopefully a basic confession along the way can provide some catharsis.
Hi, my name is Gareth and I’m a hypocrite.
Gareth Brandt lives in Abbotsford, B.C., where he teaches spiritual formation at Columbia Bible College and attends Emmanuel Mennonite Church. He blogs at garethbrandt.wordpress.com, where this post originally appeared.
More articles by Gareth Brandt:
Summer vacation
What does it mean to be Anabaptist today?
![Twitter](https://canadianmennonite.org/sites/all/themes/cmm2/images/twitter_article.png)
![Instagram](https://canadianmennonite.org/sites/all/themes/cmm2/images/instagram_article.png)
Add new comment
Canadian Mennonite invites comments and encourages constructive discussion about our content. Actual full names (first and last) are required. Comments are moderated and may be edited. They will not appear online until approved and will be posted during business hours. Some comments may be reproduced in print.