EDIT: This interveiw was first published, in error, listing an upcoming Friday Five contributor (Cynthia Ruchti) as its subject. Our deep apologies for the mistake. – Paul
Today we catch up with Caryn Rivadeneira, a writer and speaker who serves on the worship staff at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Her most recent book is Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed About God's Abundance (IVP, 2014)She talked to us about struggle of financial brokenness and how the church can better serve those who are hurting. – Daniel
1) You began this journey with your own financial brokenness. Before you were "broke" did you ever think you'd be writing about this?
Well, before we were broke, I certainly never thought we’d be broke—financially—so no. That said, I believe part of a writer’s calling (the “prophetic” part) is to voice what others are afraid to think, much less make public. So, all throughout my career, I’ve written about the less-than-dandy sides of my life. As we were going through our financial difficulties and then when we finally went broke, I knew I’d write about it.
2) It seems there is a built-in legalism toward those in financial distress. Why is this?
Because there are rules for this kind of thing! There are right ways and wrong ways to live financially. Everyone knows: you get rich by working hard, investing and spending wisely, by giving faithfully and getting yourself blessed by God! Easy peasy. People go broke or stay poor because they don’t follow these rules! Of course, I jest. But this is the thinking.
There is a “wisdom” element to money management and a good and bad way to handle money in general, but, poverty—whether sudden or generational—is nothing to get legalistic about. Going broke is a nuanced problem. And no one—not one of us—is above or beyond it.
Going broke is a nuanced problem an not one of us is beyond it.
3) Is this fueled by Christian stewardship ministries and programs?
Most of these ministries are well-intentioned. Certainly, they are set up to help people be smart and do better. But unfortunately, the message that gets articulated too often is quite the worldly one: that we have control over our money. These ministries sell the idea that if we develop a spending plan, if we save four months of living expenses, if we have emergency funds, if we contribute to retirement accounts, if we tithe, if we pay off credit cards, we’ll be “free.” All set. Bullet-proof. Certainly, it’s what I believed. And we did everything right, according to these ministries. Lived below our means. Saved tons. Gave lots. And still, circumstances changed and money ran out. We went broke.
While I believe there are certain wise principles to managing money that people do well to follow, and that it’s wonderful to have resources to help folks get out of financial messes, we have to be very careful not to preach a message that we are in control. Neither God nor Satan are limited or stymied by our spending plans or our savings accounts.
4) Should pastors adjust their preaching to reflect the economic distress of those in their congregation? And if so, how?
I don’t know. But pastors would do well to remember a few things:
1.) More people in their pews are having trouble financially than they think. Lots of people are sitting in church afraid and ashamed.
2.) The “Have faith. God provides” sermons are tricky. We should have faith. And God does provide! But all those stories of last-minute checks that save the day wreak havoc on our faith when God’s not doing that for us. God’s idea of provision is very different than ours. Sometimes he takes away and doesn’t rescue as a means of blessing. Let’s hear more about that.
3.) This isn’t about preaching, per se, but it’s essential to remember how God sees the poor and what Jesus said about them. Churches should stop pitying the broke (though, not stop helping,) and start including those who know what it is to pray literally for daily bread. Invite broke folks on to church boards, to become deacons and elders. Listen to—and respect—their stories. They know things about God, the affluent and comfortable never will.
God’s idea of provision is very different than ours. Let’s hear more about that.
5) What is the biggest myth about people who find themselves in dire financial straits?
That they are foolish. That secretly—no matter what they say—they’ve done something wrong to bring it upon themselves. That if they would’ve followed the plan, gone by the rules and lived faithfully this wouldn’t have happened. The good news is the same as it’s always been, though: God is with us and Jesus has overcome the troubles of this world. I don’t always know what this means or looks like. But it’s strange and wonderful comfort in the midst of hardship.
Daniel Darling is vice-president of communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Activist Faith.
