The initial and foundational value of all creation comes from its being the handiwork of God. God seeks the salvation, healing, and reconciliation of all creation---- "God so loved the world, that he sent his only son..." (John 3:16). In "Jesus Christ, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things whether on earth or in heaven through making peace through the blood of the cross" (Colossians 1:20).
Through the divine creation and incarnation of God in Christ, we see the world as a loving creation--a creation intimate with its creator. It is through this intimacy with God, through Jesus Christ, that we find our value and our worth.
The whole of creation contains all that is necessary to sustain itself and is an indication of God's affection and desire for re-creation.
We are people called to live toward God's vision of reconciliation through Christ Jesus. This reconciled world, or "new heaven and earth" (Revelation 21), includes creation healed--a creation where diversity is celebrated as a gift, rather than resisted and destroyed; where loving relationships are supremely valued and the resources of the world are shared equitably and justly; where all persons know their worth and value as children of God who seek the well-being of God's Creation above their own greed.
It is a world where we live out of a theology of "enough," a theology based in knowledge that we are grounded in Christ; that our sense of personal value and esteem grow from our Christ-centered life. It is a theology that allows us to move away from worshiping the gods of consumption and material need.
In living out a theology of "enough" we will no longer expend our physical resources in consumption and our emotional resources in worrying over status. Our security and sense of well-being will be defined in relationship to God, not by our possessions. We will center our lives around God.
We hear a reminder of this style of living throughout Jesus' teachings: "Do not worry what we will eat, what we will drink or what we will wear. For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed God knows that you need all these things. But, strive first for the kingdom of God and God's righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:31). While Christ does not seek for any of us to be without basic necessities, a simplified life will move us away from the expectations and injustices of affluent living. Abundant living is a life of greater simplicity, of more responsible use of resources and of a deeper faith.
Jesus discusses the foolishness of the rich and the greed that builds treasures on the earth. He admonishes us to build treasures in heaven, so that we might keep ourselves pure in heart and faithful to God (Luke 12).
In the "new heaven and new earth" we will choose a just lifestyle and share our wealth with the poor because we no longer need "things" to give us worth. With a theology of "enough," we will find gracious and fulfilled living in meeting our own basic needs and those of others. We will truly be "keepers" and "doers" of God's word.
A CORRUPTED VISION OF ABUNDANT LIVING:
There is a conflict between what abundant living means for a Christian and what it has come to mean in secular society. In secular society abundant living is defined by one's aspiration to purchase an endless number of things, far more than is needed. Secular abundant living is experienced when one desires to live in luxury with every whim satisfied. This type of abundant living creates a system where the wealthy consume a disproportionate amount of resources and produce a disproportionate amount of waste. This living is rooted in a consumerism that exploits natural resources, exacerbates global resource crises, and causes cycles of global poverty which often lead to local and international violence.
Hearing these facts often raises feelings of guilt, anger and denial. The false hope that technology will find fixes for all problems leads us to believe that change is not necessary. We who live in a culture of consumerism believe we have earned and deserved all of what we have, we do not want to give up anything. Our "things" give us a misguided status, a false sense of security and a distorted sense of self worth.
If we fail to believe in our hearts that our worth comes from our relationship to Christ and that we are called to bring God's redeeming love to creation through our actions and lifestyles, then all the arguments and information on the global crisis will be ignored. We will care about our impact on creation when we each recognize that creation is a gift given by a loving God for the benefit of all life. Only then will we assess how our lifestyles (what we do, use, buy, wear, eat, live in and travel in) affect all present and future life.
We have a choice: we can be sustainers or exploiters of creation.
VISIONS OF FAITHFUL ABUNDANT LIVING ON EARTH:
- Abundant living is when all people have their basic needs met for food, shelter and good health.
- Abundant living occurs when all have meaningful and fulfilling work that contributes to the common good of all others.
- Abundant living is providing not only for the needs of this generation, but for ones to come.
- Abundant living is found in having time for family and community life.
- Abundant living produces an environment where children are valued, cared for, and nurtured in families and communities.
- Abundant living is a lifestyle that protects the diversity of all creation.
- Abundant living is based on spiritual principles, which results in unity, sharing, mutual respect and appreciation.
- Abundant living is found in a church that nurtures growth and a deepening relationship with God through Christ.
ABUNDANT LIVING TOWARD REDEMPTION AND RENEWAL:
The United Methodist Church is called to help find opportunities for individuals to reevaluate their sense of value and to center their lives and lifestyles around God, rather than consumption of material things. The following are steps to assist The United Methodist Church in responding to its call:
UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATIONS:
Local congregations will reclaim the Spirit of sacrificial discipleship through networks and abundant living communities. These will nurture the conversion of people in local communities through study, lifestyle assessment and nurture of spiritual life. (The General Board of Church and Society can suggest resources)
GENERAL BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY:
The General Board of Church and Society, working with the General Council on Ministries, will assist General Agencies, Boards and Councils and Annual Conferences to assess their patterns of consumption (including but not limited to facility use, travel, compensation packages, and purchase of reusable materials). GENERAL BOARD OF DISCIPLESHIP:
The General Board of Discipleship, with support of the General Board of Church and Society, will develop ways of assisting persons (especially those who have experienced programs such as the Disciple Bible Study or other Bible study programs) to reassess personal lifestyles with the goal of a conversion to a more simple, less consumptive lifestyle and to a greater sensitivity to each person's decision-making responsibility in relation to national and global social, environmental, and economic problems.
GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES:
The General Board of Global Ministries will look at the models of development taught to and by World and National Division partners and assess these models' roots in the culture of consumerism. The Women's Division shall include the focus of Abundant Living in the Schools of Christian Mission.
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS:
The General Board of Church and Society will work with episcopal leaders to increase their awareness and modeling of abundant living and support their commitment to ministries to and with the poor of the world.
THE GENERAL BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND MINISTRY:
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will work with United Methodist seminaries and schools to provide education to promote individual conversion to a simplified lifestyle.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21038-CS-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference