Compassion Loses Its Compassion

Well it seems that even so-called "Christian" organizations are not immune to the lustful greed prevalent in large multinational corporations. Could it be that the bigger they get, the more they resemble the world?

Throughout this month and possibly beyond, Compassion International will be laying off its IT staff in Colorado so they can outsource to Red China where the work is substantially cheaper. Of course we’ve come to expect this kind of behavior from the secular world, but is it really appropriate for a parachurch organization to behave this way?

There is little more frustrating than to be forced to train your replacements and this company in particular has apparently forsaken it's namesake in pursuit of the "bottom line". Clearly, Compassion International has more compassion for the children their ministry supports than it does for the Christians working there. And apparently it also values enemy China more as well.

So how is a Christian supposed to react to this?

Now I'm not saying that nobody should ever be laid off if there is a business failure eminent or for good cause. I’m sure the decision makers will tell you they have no choice; that they must remain "competitive". And it may be that these job terminations are a combination of circumstances, most likely poor planning and management incompetence. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

I've heard more than one Christian applaud outsourcing decisions describing them as being "shrewd". They may even say the company is "doing God's will" because donor's dollars become more efficient and that way more poor people can be helped.

Let's examine that last thought (and please excuse me while I swallow the vomit in the back of my throat). Are Christians to be "shrewd"? Are they to take from one people to give to another - taking even from their own brothers?

Sure, we are to feed the poor and widows. But are we to accomplish that by harming others - especially other Christians? What do the scriptures say about this?

The Desert

Recently a famous pastor posted this on his blog:

"Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away." This is a stage that has to happen to all of us if we want to be crucified. No reason to blame "the disciples." All of us have to die on our own crosses with our families and mockers watching, "disciples" claiming not to know you.

- Ted Haggard

Of course, the writer is referring to Jesus & the scriptures describing His desertion by the very disciples whom He had trained and loved, and who professed to love Him. And the quote coming from someone who has experienced the most extreme example of "friends" deserting him in modern times (Ted Haggard), the point is well taken.

Jesus had experienced yet another kind of persecution. This type is rarely if ever done in public - it is done behind the scenes and behind our backs. It is the worst kind of attack because it comes from those who profess to "love you, brother". It is betrayal, plain and simple.

Where I've run into trouble on this issue is that I expected the church to be a place where I would find refuge from this type of behavior. For example, I had hoped that Galatians 6:10 would be lived out loud and that the church, of all places, would be a place where people worked hard at least trying to implement this scripture in their lives.

I was wrong.

In fact, I found that the church can be a breeding ground for false accusation, rumor and innuendo, lust, pride, competition and even outright lies.

Just like the rest of the world.

Maybe even worse because of the hypocrisy involved.

Jesus Himself felt deserted by God in His wilderness experience. Indeed, the church itself can be a desert - a wasteland where we can find ourselves wandering and even doubting our faith.

Yes, I was wrong about the church.

But not in the way I used to think I was wrong...

I was wrong because I saw myself as a victim. I used to fight my own battles instead of allowing God to fight them for me. Then it occurred to me (and brother Ted) that perhaps God allows this type of persecution to occur in our lives to help us to identity more with His son.

It is apparently a hard lesson we must all learn. Although we should try to create an atmosphere of trust and love, ultimately we cannot find refuge in the church, or anywhere else in this world.

There is only one refuge - Jesus Himself.

When Satan Uses Christians

Have you ever seen a Christian manifest?

Many Christians act like they are not only "of this world", but perhaps something more. I am sure I have been used many times without even being aware of it.

Recall when Peter was used by Satan:

Matthew 16:23 - Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

I bring this up only as a reminder to all believers - don't be so sure you are on the right track all the time.

If we don't take our thoughts captive, someone else will.