poverty?!

the other day i was talking to someone at church. he explained to me that he "almost did what i am doing. (meaning vocational ministry), but he could not take a vow of poverty." i really did not know how to respond.

there were however to reactions in my head.

1. am i living in poverty? i have everything i need plus stuff i could live without. i dont drive a mercedes. but even if i had money i would still drive a honda. even if some students do have a nicer car than i do. i dont shop at banana republic or wear other designer clothes. but i enjoy the clothes i have. sure i live over a garage. but hey it is a nice garage. and in a few months i will be moving into a 4 bedroom parsonage. i do shop at aldi's (a generic food store) but seriously is it any different then marsh or p&c?

im not really quite sure what poverty is. by this guys view i am living in it. but personally i really do not feel that i am . i am comfortable. i am clean (sometimes). i eat pretty well. and when it is all said and done jenny and i are saving money. in a couple month we will both have our college debts paid off. both drive nice vehicles that should last us quite a while (both honda civics).

i have viewed at least what the world views as poverty. i have been in villages where the houses are made with mud and the roofs with bamboo. i have been in their 1-2 room house. where if you had two rooms you were extremely fortunate. i have sat at their tables where they offer us enough food for them to live off the next week. i have seen and smelled the open sewer. this could definately be seen as poverty.

i have also driven around the area here in ny, and i see these houses that are falling apart and these small little trailers that have 10 people living in them and i wonder if there mom or dad used to work at the steel plant that was closed about a year ago.

i have been to a church down the road and see the poor, hurting crowd that attends there. and notice that they are doing samaritans purse operation christmas child and found out that they sent out about 300 boxes.

i have also attended care and share which our church opened up for people to bring in new and used stuff to share with the community (see blog below) and smelled the stench of the people there.

do i live in poverty? by all means no. am i rich? no.

2 i thought... did you feel called? did you run away from your call? ouch.