I imagine many of you have never heard of Derek Webb. He is a musician I was introduced to when we lived in Americaland (as I call it) for three years. He is really good.

He’s also deeply prophetic. Derek writes songs that make society, and especially the church, uncomfortable. A kind of modern-day Keith Green, if you will, who is also a personal favourite. Keith had a ‘No Compromise’ stance which has strongly challenged me in the way I live. Or at least try to.

A friend shared this with me last night and I was struck once again by how relevant the words are. Reminiscent of Keith Green’s hard-hitting ‘Asleep in the Light’ which contained that uncomfortable line:

Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can’t even get out of bed. 

So take a read of the lyrics and a listen to the song and be challenged and hopefully changed by the call it makes to all of us.

= = = = =

Lyrics to Rich Young Ruler by Derek Webb

(vs. 1)
poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town

where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
I want your time, I want your voice
I want the things you just can’t give me

 

(vs. 2)
so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
I don’t sleep around and I don’t steal
I want the things you just can’t give me

(bridge)
because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because I want the things you just can’t give me

= = = = =

Is poverty for you something that is far across town, or do you have people in and around your life that you are walking alongsides, whose names you know, whose stories you are listening to and being a part of:

he says, more than just your cash and coin
I want your time, I want your voice
I want the things you just can’t give me

Let’s help each other get creative about how we give beyond just the easy one of money.

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