‘The economics of Jesus,’
the ‘theology of the hammer’

People told him he was nuts when self-made-millionaire Millard Fuller gave up his business life in the 1970s, especially because he gave it up to pursue a harebrained idea for ministry: Ordinary Christians would donate their labor to build houses for poor people.

          But now 28 years later Habitat for Humanity has provided nearly 200,000 families around the world a decent place to live. And across the globe and across denominational lines, it has formed partnerships with thousands of congregations. Probably yours -- or at least some of your members.

          It’s easy to see why. For Christian stewards who are concerned with issues of poverty and affordable housing, Habitat proves a simple, hands-on way to help. This week’s Gleanings offers a number of stories about Habitat worth checking out.

          What’s the genius of Habitat’s success? A page on Habitat’s website explains the organization’s philosophy as a Christian ministry, and two simple, yet profound, ideas stand out:

          The economics of Jesus: “When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts.”

          Theology of the hammer:  "We may disagree on all sorts of other things,” Fuller says, “but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest."

          Habitat shows what happens when God’s spirit inspires the mind, captures the heart and plants a vision in the soul of just one humble servant. With such a clear, simple and Godly vision, it’s no wonder Habitat has caught hold of Christians the world over.

          Is your congregation in need of vision?

-Rob Blezard, editor and webmaster (webmaster@stewardshipoflife.org)

New this week: September 20-26, 2004