You might not know who those two gentleman are and why I think they are wrong might not be very important to you. Let me explain. Both of them are mega-church pastors who were involved in the recent Elephant Room conference. Platt is also the author of a book called Radical: Taking back your faith from the American Dream which has ruffled a few feathers (you can read a review by Kevin De Young and response from Platt on why this might be the case).

So in this recent Elephant Room discussion MacDonald and Platt argue about the nature of radical sacrifice. I’m basing all this off some notes made (with appropriate caution added) and the helpful reflection by Trevin Wax. So there’s a chance that a third person could be wrong about all this. In that case that would be me.

Here’s how Wax sums up the issue:

The Points of Agreement

The MacDonald/Platt discussion was tense at times, perhaps because the practical ramifications of how we think about money always hit close to home. Still, there are three major points on which Platt and MacDonald agree:

1. Money and possessions are a good gift from God.
2. Money and possessions can become idolatrous.
3. We are called to exercise stewardship of our finances in a way that pleases the Lord and furthers the spread of His name.

The Debate

Even though Platt and MacDonald would “Amen” each of these points, they have diverging views on the particulars of how these truths should be applied. MacDonald believes we need a theology of joy that reiterates point #1. Platt believes we are underestimating the idolatrous pull of point #2. Then, because MacDonald emphasizes #1 and Platt focuses on #2, they have radically different notions about how to apply #3.

So on the one side we have Platt who is arguing for more radical sacrifice (If I’m going to err then I would prefer to be on this side) and on the other we have MacDonald arguing if we give it all away aren’t we left with a poverty theology?

There is a danger that in pushing radical sacrifice you leave everyone behind and those that come with you end up exhausted and spent. 1 Cor 13:3 warns us of the folly of that. But Platt is right in that he is based in a context of vast comfort and consumerism where the lives of ordinary people have a comfort level unimaginable at almost any other time in human history. It needs challenging, Jesus brings the challenge and so should we. You wouldn’t expect me to say otherwise would you?

But it does seem that Platt is pushing towards radical giving as a rule and if you can’t keep that up you may end up feeling guilty. That’s not his heart (as the response to DeYoung makes clear) but it is the risk.

MacDonald’s danger is, I think the greater one, that we don’t end up giving nearly enough. I very much doubt that that there will be lots of people from the 21st century West who, upon arriving in heaven, are gently rebuked for giving too much. MacDonald’s reaction fears giving too much and that’s unlikely to be the right response to the one ‘who gave it all’. Instead shouldn’t we have more joy in the gifts God has given us and if that’s money and good things shouldn’t we enjoy those too and in enjoying them aren’t we honouring God?

So it sounds like a good debate but here’s where I think they’re both wrong. Firstly giving isn’t a rule it’s a gift. It’s grace to be in the position where we can be ‘more blessed’, it’s an amazing thing to firstly have anything to give let alone be able to amply give. Giving is a joy. The act of giving itself is a source of blessing and of joy.

So we do people a disservice when we present giving without joy, that giving is often it’s own reward. Giving shouldn’t be a source of misery to those that give but a source of great delight.

So it seems to me that both Platt and MacDonald miss this, and then MacDonald seems to imply that a ‘theology of joy’ necessarily involves spending money on toys and things and that isn’t right. Sure buying some treats for the kids or a special holiday is a good thing, what Dad wouldn’t want to do that? But those are not the most important things – kicking a ball around in the park, reading a story, having a made-up adventure, just being with friends and family. But then I shouldn’t feel guilty when I do those things thinking if I gave this money for an ice-cream away then some kid somewhere would be able to eat.

At the end of the day giving and sharing are amazing opportunities to love Jesus and people. Most of us can give more than we do and not sacrifice too much of anything. So let’s get nearer that point of sacrifice (which is why I err with Platt) but along the way realise that giving up money does not equal giving up fun.