Few more thoughts re: Ramsey--when you've been operating by the rules of the market and you're confronted with an alternative that costs you profit, it sounds as ridiculous and unreasonable as Jesus' invitation to the rich young ruler to sell what he had to give to the poor 1/
It's quite understandable that many Christian investor class folks would reject what I've proposed. What's attractive about a faith that is only concerned about the afterlife (most prominent in Am. evangelicalism rn) is that it gives us cover to serve both God and mammon. 2/
@james_ka_smith says the task of Christian formation is "to 'corrupt the youth' precisely by making them citizens of the coming kingdom, thereby making them (thankfully) useless and unproductive for what currently passes for 'society'". 3/
Too often, Christians just appropriate the dominant practices and ethics that govern the marketplace, slap Bible verses on them and call that "Christian". A more Christ-like approach to real estate likely will be considered "useless and unproductive" in capitalist markets. 4/
The problem is that we make the same mistake as the rich young ruler. Sure, maybe it's "good news" for the poor, but it's bad news for me! Jesus wasn't engaging in "class warfare". Selling his possessions was good for the poor AND the rich young ruler! 5/
He could never enter God's kingdom--know the peace and joy of living right with God and neighbor--by holding onto them. In the end, that was too high of a price tag. Too risky. I think the same is true for those of us who are confronted with Jesus' invitation today. 6/
What at first sounds like bad news to our profit margins, is actually the very, very, best news--yes for the poor--but also for us! Can I share with you a few riches that I get to experience every day that I think so many materially wealthy people miss out on? 7/
A few weeks ago, at our @Youthfront Discount Christmas Store, neighbors shopped for presents at 50-75% of store prices (it's an alternative to giveaways so that our charity doesn't make people feel like charity projects). This recently arrived Afghani refugee family showed up. 
They walked a mile in terrible weather to get there, so my wife drove them home. They couldn't bear for the generosity they received to go unmet and begged my wife to come in for tea. Within 2 minutes, hot tea, dried fruits, nuts and a plate heaping with food was in front of her/
Sure, we extend the hospitality of God's kingdom here--but friends--amazing people here demonstrate the gospel TO US. You can go to a Mexican or Middle Eastern restaurant with good Yelp reviews but you can't pay for experiences and encounters that we enjoy every day. /
My kids go to a local public school with abysmal rankings, but the teachers and administrators are passionate and competent, and my kids still score high on national tests because "bad" schools are an indicator of poverty more than anything. /
My kids are the few white kids in their class. They benefit from the friendship, gifts and strengths of BIPOC kids. For us, anti-racism is loving your neighbor as yourself--an indispensable part of discipleship. You can't anti-racist book club your way to this kind of formation./
(So much of this we learned via @iamccda btw). All of this to say, "Don't be afraid." Don't be afraid of sacrificing profits--you'll gain a different kind of wealth. Don't be afraid of "bad" schools and neighborhoods--they are a function of poverty, not character. /
Abandon the pursuit of upward mobility and follow the downward way of Christ and you might just find that it really is good news, better than any riches the world has to offer. /fin
Disclaimer: this can be too rosy of a picture. There is terrible pain here. We get jealous of services in other neighborhoods. People get hurt. Stuff gets broken / stolen. That's part of this story too. But my kids wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world.
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