WEALTH;
SECOND COMING: LACK OF INTEREST IN; HEAVEN: LACK OF INTEREST IN

Probably the most irritating problem faced by today’s western Christians is where to find parking for their shiny automobiles that transported them effortlessly to the house of God, where they hope to prepare their souls for the world to come. In the United States and Canada the middle class today possesses more earthly goods and lives in greater luxury than emperors and Maharajahs did only a century ago.

Since the bulk of Christians comes from this class, it is not difficult to see why the genuine expectation of Christ’s return has all but disappeared from among us. About that there can be little argument. It is hard indeed to focus attention on a better world to come when a more comfortable one than this can hardly be imagined. As long as science can make us so cozy in this present world, it is admittedly hard to work up much pleasurable anticipation of a new world order, even if it is God who has promised it.

Matthew 13:20–22; Luke 21:34–36; Acts 1:9–11; Philippians 1:21–24

Tragedy in the Church: The Missing Gifts, 144.