Wednesday, 02 July 2008
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Can a Christian Drive a BMW?
by mr pine
I was speaking with a friend who said that in many church parking lots you see many very expensive cars like Lexus(es?) (would the plural actually be Lexi?), Benz's, and BMWs, and that there's something amiss about that. This person had no idea of what I actually drive, which is a shiny red BMW. It was interesting that in sheepishly revealing the identity of my conveyance, I almost felt like I had to apologize for it....that I almost had to justify why I bought it (i.e. within my budget, didn't interfere with my tithe, last chance to buy a totally impractical high-performance car...) But, in the end, I guess you don't have to justify anything if you feel you're doing the right thing. And I guess the implication of buying a car that is almost twice the price of most regular cars is that it's frivolous. I remember when I first got the car and I was talking to a friend from my college days about it. She seemed very shocked that I bought a car like that. She kept repeating... "but that's so not you..." and that most of the people that she knew who drove that brand of car were all materialistic jerks. Was I becoming one?
But is it really all that different from buying a $40 bottle of wine or 24 pairs of shoes or every new electronic gadget that comes out? I mean the price tag is orders of magnitude higher, but isn't the heart the same? Isn't it just materialism plain and simple? I don't think we should hide the word. I think it's interesting when pastors preach on the story of the young rich man who couldn't sell all his belongings to follow Jesus. They often dance around the subject by asking and answering rhetorically, "Does this mean we have to sell all we own to follow Jesus? No! It's making you look at where your heart is..." and then congregation breathes a collective sigh of relief. But what if it did? What if we were asked to sell everything we had, give it to the poor, and then follow Jesus? It wouldn't be outside of God's right to ask that.
I think how difficult that would be is all about where you find your significance. Is it in what you have or whose you are? And I don't think that you necessarily need to have luxury items to know. I grew up in pretty modest surroundings. My father managed a gas station in one of the highest hold-up rate stations in L.A. because no one else would. My toys were cardboard boxes, homemade bows and arrows, and a whole lot of imagination, and every Christmas and birthday for many years, all I ever asked for were Lego® sets (not LegoS, people! Lego IS plural - sheesh!). But as our family's income grew, so did our tastes and hunger for nicer things that we couldn't have before. But did it lord over us? I hope not.So can a Christian drive one of those Satanmobiles? I think so. But I think it can be one of those things that can become a hinderance from seeing things in the right perspective. So you have to remain vigilant. Would I be able to give up everything to follow Christ's leading for my life? I hope that if and when the time comes, that I would be able to without hesitation, but as I told my friend, I don't take vows of service lightly. It's too easy to just say that I will and completely ignore the sinful nature that I know still resonates within me.
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Comments (61)
Satanmobiles... nice.
To me, a car is just a car -- doesn't matter if it's a pick up truck, a BMW, or a Jeep... it's just a way of transportation. But then, maybe I say that because I've never gotten to (or had to, depending on how you look at it) buy my own car... a 2006 Jeep was passed down to me from an older sister of mine. Do I hate it? Nah. Do I like it? Sure. Do I love it? No way. But is it okay? Most definitely. (I'd honestly settle on a bicycle though if I didn't have to go anywhere too far, you know?)
So, I guess though, I'm just not quite sure why it matters what kind of car you drive as a Christian, unless, like you said, someone no longer sees things in the "right perspective," which would the "wrong perspective" be that materialistic items become an obsession to someone/take someone's focus off of God, who actually gave us the raw materials to make such grand things like automatic vehicles?
If Jesus is convicting you to drive a less expensive car, then drive a less expensive car.
If a Pharasaic hypocrite is trying to convict you of driving a too expensive car, tell him to kiss your butt.
Knowing the difference, however, is crucial. You don't want to tell the wrong party to kiss your butt.
why wouldn't it be okay? it's like wearing designer clothing or carrying an iphone instead of a regular old flip phone with a green background. i intend to buy myself an audi when the time is right. we have people at our church who drive hummers, lexus (lexi?), bmw's, etc. i would hope that they drive those cars because they worked darn hard for their money and earned it as opposed to trying to show off their wealth.
why would i get a luxury car? simply because i want a car that drives nicely and is worth my money.
A Christian can definitely have nice things. But it shouldn't put you in debt causing you to stop donating to a christian ministry, tithe, etc. The Lord comes first you know. My family HAD to buy a big van, so instead of getting a junky one why not buy a nice one at a nice price? Just make sure the Lord comes first. :3
I've always wanted a Black 1969 Corvette Convertible big block engine with optional side exhausts.
I could probably tell you everything about that car. I don't think that make me materialistic. Let's say I have 2 choices:
choice 1) I live within my means, and therefore have a little left over when my tithe, offerings, and bills are paid off each paycheck. This amount totals about enough to take my wife out for dinner and a movie- a nice dinner, where the burger costs like 13 dollars, and a movie ticket is around 8.50. So we make a habit of doing this once a month, spending about 50-60 dollars for a nice night out on the town.
Choice 2) instead of spending that kind of dough, I cook a nice romantic dinner at home, she makes us dessert (I'm a fairly competent chef, and my wife has a degree in Pastry and Baking), and then we either go to the $1 theater to see movies about 4 months after they come out, or we spend $1-3 on renting one at family video. We do this TWICE monthly, and it costs about 20 bucks for both. we then take the remaining 40 that we would have spent and put it in to a savings account. Over time it builds and accrues interest until foregoing that fancy night on the town has added up to where I can afford my corvette (and my wife happens to like pretty cars), so I trade in my Nissan Sentra and buy the car of my dreams.
Most Christians would not consider the first option frivolous, in fact they would view it as helpful in producing a healthy marriage. Yet, the total amount we end up paying for our luxury of choice ends up being the same if we buy the car. Neither is more practical than the other, the difference is, we are much more comfortable with spending 20, 30, or 40 thousand dollars a little bit at a time than we are doing it all in one big bang.
Enjoy your BMW, if you're still focused on Christ, I could care less if you paid to have KIT from Knightrider remade for your personal convenience.
I think it is all about where your heart is. If you are constantly thinking about the next purchase, then maybe your heart is in the wrong place. But if you would be willing give up the purchase if God asked you to, then I don't think there is anything wrong with enjoying a few things about life. And yes, I think it would be similar to 24 pairs of shoes..not that I would know anything about that!
I dont see why you shouldn't have one ... unless - for some reason - it's interfering with your walk?
hehe ... pun intended.
@SwordAndSacrifice@xanga - I like that one!
(Said the owner of a '95 minivan)
Personally, I think it depends on what that particular car does for you. If you could find one that essentially works just as well for it's main purposes, at half the price, then I think it's preferable to take the minimal amount that you really feel you need, while sharing the rest of that income with those who cannot afford basic necessities.
Simple luxuries are alright, but keep in mind that for every dollar you spend on a luxury item, that's a dollar you're not sharing with those who really need it.
The question isn't can a Christian drive a BMW but I think is more why does a Christian drive a BMW. Is it to show off, to boast of their wealth? What is wrong, for example, if a Christian who wants to drive a BMW saves up for several years and works up to getting the car they desire? This is the difference, I find, between actual poverty and spiritual poverty. Certainly the Christian should try to be indifferent to the car they drive; whatever God provides. But sometimes God provides a very fine car, and it seems to me as long as this is kept in perspective, that the BMW is not a Christian's own achievement but is in fact a gift from God, then the Christian should drive that BMW and own it in such a manner that reflects not their own prosperity, but how grateful they are to God that thought the Christian is in fact desperately poor, God was more than generous to them.
I believe God wants us to enjoy our lives - and if driving a BMW is loads of fun for us - and we can do it without becoming arrogent - then why not? For goodness sake, he is preparing MANSIONS for us in heaven. :)
BMW's are great cars... I drove one when I lived in Germany... that whole idea of excellence in German engineering has merit... so does the saying, "you get what you pay for"... a plastic Ford Focus just does not compare... enjoy your car.
That's an interesting question. I don't know that I have the answer but I do know that something inside me is annoyed when Christians have too many nice things. It's hard for me not to judge. My pastor has a huge house and a Miata. Sometimes that makes me stumble as I drive around my 91' Tempo with no air con in Texas. Maybe it's because I've spent about 2 years overseas and have seen the poverty that much of the world lives in. However, I don't think that necessarily makes it right for me to judge Christians for having nice things. I can say that I would never feel comfortable owning anything that costed that much money. I'd be content with a used Civic if I could afford it.
I see no problem with it, like several have said, it is all about your heart.
You're right - it is about the heart issue. Where your focus is and what is important to you. Is it the car? Or Christ? I enjoy nice things and there are areas where I will splurge - expensive cameras and equipment that I use in ministry. I hope you totally enjoy your car, but I could never justify it for myself personally. The needs that I am involved with are just too great. I know of a family who lives on ten percent of their income - and they could still probably afford that BMW - and they give away ninety percent. That is the kind of attitude I want to emulate and what I would strive for. If our income goes up, I hope that my standard of living stays low so that I can give more and keep even less for myself. :)
I like to follow the mantra: if you're not willing to share it, don't buy it.
There's a lot of good discussion here. I actually originally wrote this entry a few years ago and the lustre has worn off a bit. I know that the way I feel about my car today is much different than I did back then. In hindsight, I think I can say that the purchase was somewhat frivolous (especially considering how much I pay for even regular maintenance - yikes!). And I have to admit, at first, I liked the car a little "too much" if you get my drift, my Christian brothers and sisters. Would I do it again? Maybe not.
Can a christian drive a BMW?
The answer is no.
Unless God dropped in your doorstep with a shiny gold ribbon and said "this is for you--cost free!"
I'm sorry, my purpose is not to offend, but I just don't see how a BMW fits...in anything...for any reason.
We supposed to be about the Father's business, right?
Is His business that we have BMW?
I don't think I have to answer that.
I don't have anything against people who have a lot of money. God has a purpose for them just like anyone. I just don't think purpose is to waste money on things that are completely unnecessary, completely un-expedient to the kingdom.
There's my take.
I really struggle with this. My hubby would be a Beema man, and I am more of a whatever does the job faithfully type girl.
I don't like debt and live debt free.
I struggle with it also from a NT church point of view.
What other things could we Christians be doing with our money?
Supporting ministries, sponsoring children, building orphanages, wells, buying bibles for the persecuted Church in China, using our resources and time to go and help physically support ministries over a period of years.
Well and above the 10% tithe 'churches' encourage.
The daily verse on biblegateway today is this;
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can
understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to
reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds
deserve.”- Jeremiah 17:9-10
The Lord searches our heart and rewards our conduct..... are we Christians REALLY faithful in a NT kind a way with our finances? HONESTLY I know I am not.
Is owing a BMW a sin?
No way.
Is it the BEST ETERNAL use of our resources?
Only the individual can truly answer that before God.
Will my husband one day drive a BMW? Yes I imagine he will, he would buy one he could pay cash for I would imagine (meaning older), but he would still like one.
It will always be something we disagree on, in love!
The ONLY thing I like about his arguments (my husbands) is that they are great, well made cars.
Great post, thanks for being honest enough to share it with us.
x
alright... for one thing... if all we wanted in life was a BMW... and that's all that your Christianity is about, that's one thing...
but if God has blessed you with a large income and you are doing everything in Scripture to honor God with your finances as you tithe to your local church and are spreading your wealth with eternity in mind... having a BMW is fine...
God grants people with money who are able to turn it around for God's Kingdom and God's glory... and if that is you... great.... if not, then I don't think going out to get a BMW for the sake of having it w/ no eternal ramifications in mind is good...
honoring God is above all else... stuff comes second....
as Paul says, "Whatever you do, do it all in the Name of the Lord Jesus..."
For some, I imagine it might be reasonable to own a BMW. For me, I can't justify purchasing one as I believe God would prefer me to use more of my money for His purposes. I can't justify the purchase of luxury items for myself, but if the item is good for a purpose that is in keeping with God's commands, then I will agree. For example, I could justify the purchase of a big-screen television, because I work in the entertainment industry and it's important to be able to view movies as close to as they were intended to be seen.
If I were an executive, it might be justifiable to drive a moderately priced BMW (that is, for a BMW) as it might be important to be able to open doors of conversations with other executives, thereby enhancing my ability to access these relationships and show Christ to these individuals. But since I don't have a great deal of access to develop relationships with the very wealthy, I imagine it would be a very unstewardly use of the finances that God blesses me with to purchase a BMW.
It's okay to appreciate God's bounty and enjoy the nice things of life, but if God is calling you to use your money for anything else and you use it for yourself, you are certainly opposing the desire of God.
Hmm...if I may say so, I think asking "can a Christian do this?" isn't the best question. A better question is "should a Christian do this?" or in other words, is this the best, most God-glorifying use of my money/time/resources, like someone already said. Whether we give 10 percent of our money directly to the church or not, I think it all belongs to God and we're only stewards of it. "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." That's where our fulfillment is anyway.
my dad drives a BMW.
he is a Christian, so is our family.
This question is like... should wealthy people give up all their money to live at ends meet.
in the end it's all gonna burn haha
We all know that the only car that is mentioned in the Bible is the Honda Accord. That's the only one good Christians should drive.