CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Just a curious question to everyone out there because I've really been trying to seek the Lord's will on this for some time now. We all know how easy it is to get swept away by our fandom and merchandise, right? Be it movie, anime, or video game collectibles, we all have our weak points for it. My question I guess is how do you balance enjoying these things in life with the very real idea that it is all fading away?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."--Matthew 6:19-21

Does that passage put any sort of materialism/hobby as wrong? What if you budget for it; is it wrong to place aside a certain amount of your income for material goods? And if it's ok to budget, what would you consider a healthy percentage? Where do you draw the line?

I know God expects us to find all our joy, peace, and comfort in Him, and that He needs to be #1, but how does that work out pratically as far as this is concerned? Is it ok as long as we're willing to give it up? And if it is, how do you express to God you ARE willing to give it up?

I've also been advised that God blesses us financially and as long as we're willing to give Him His share, it's ok to spend a little on passing things. That He delights in giving us things that in turn give us pleasure. What about giving Him praise for allowing us to have such things; is that ok, or is that just my mental justification?

As I said, this has really been weighing on my heart lately--before this summer I was never really a big spender and put most of my paycheck safely away in the bank. And then....I dunno what happened, I just am more easily swayed to buying things now. Thanks in advance anyone who read all the way through all those questions, and praise be to God in advance for the answers He will provide.

By all means you should definitely praise god for your good financial status and just about everything else!

There's nothing wrong with having material possessions as long as they dont get in the way of your relationship with god. For example, if buying yourself a ps2 meant you'd be playing Silent Hill next sunday instead of going to church like you should God tells us to love him above all things so as long as whatever you buy is not as important as God's presence in your life, and you get rid of whatever you dont think god wants you to have, then there is no sin in buying stuff.

The important thing is keeping your priorities straight and sharing what you have with others in your everyday life and (also making donations etc. if you have cash to spare)

Man, this one gets me too. I think I'm gonna wait and see what everyone else says. I mean, I know God cares about us materially (he provided clothes for Adam and Eve in the garden, right?), but I'm not really about this whole thing.

Personally, I believe God is warning us from reaching point of excessiveness; Not to become dependent or rely heavily on things, not to become slaves to it. He may not call all of us to be missionaries and give up all we have, but we must be ready to do so. And all the material possessions people build up can be destroyed in mere seconds.

As Jesus said: "Will a person gain anything if he wins the whole world but loses his life?" (Matthew 16:26)

But remember, a ‘worker is worth his keepâ€

May I speak God's words in some way.

I would primarily say that yes, it is acceptable to spend some money on small things. It does grant you some joy, and God wants that for you. Time and money spent on some hobbies can allow you to witness better to others. Before moving on I would strongly caution that these things can easily become justifications for our actions.

On the other hand, I do struggle with a guilty feeling when I spend money on things I do not need. When we are called to God's judgement, I feel relatively certain we will be held accountable for our money (which is, after all, spoken about more in the Gospels than any other subject). At that moment, I am not certain I will be able to justify some insignificant expense when God's children were around the globe starving, freezing and dying of diseases that cost less than five US cents to cure. I am not certain I will be able to justify spending random hours beating video games when millions have never heard the gospel.

Ashley wrote:I've also been advised that God blesses us financially and as long as we're willing to give Him His share, it's ok to spend a little on passing things.

I would make one extremely important point (that you may have alread stated and so this may be redundant for you - but I speak to all who read this) to make concerning what was said here. Specifically "His share."

The concept of tithing is wholly Old Testament. It has been extremely inflated (as have the Ten Commandments) in most churches today. But the New Testament is pretty clear that all of your money, time and being is God's.

My response to this topic will be here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/marie_novelle/49335.html

Ecclesiastes 5
18 Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

posessions are a gift from God, as are all good things that you have in your life. as long as you remember that i dont think you'll have a problem.

Ashley,

This is not an easy question, and Christians have struggled with it for centuries. I'm glad to see a person of your age struggling with it. People of my age have usually come to a conclusion already and have followed one path or the other.

Ultimately, you alone are responsible for deciding whether or not you have spent responsibly. Some very prominent Christians have vast investments in stocks and Real Estate; these, too, will fade away some day. They will have to answer to God for their spending, as will you and I.

Are you going into debt to support your hobby? If so, I would argue that it might be sinful to do so. Are you putting aside money you've already earned for things you enjoy? "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain", the worker should rejoice in the fruit of his labor.

In the end, there is no good answer. Only you know how much anime is contributing to your spiritual life, and the lives of others. "All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable." You are a prominent and contributing member to CAA, Christians (and non-Christians) come here and are hopefully blessed, is it wrong then that you should continue to pursue your hobby responsibly?

God has called all of us to make the most of our resources in His service. His commands are clear: Care for your family, support your church. The Roman Centurion helped build the Synagogue because he loved the people there so. Your community may be CAA; does your hobby contribute to the love you have for the people here? If so, I see no contradiction in spending money on it. If not, you might want to re-evaluate your priorities. But I see no set guidelines, other than the prompting of the Spirit.

It isn't wrong to spend money pursuing a hobby, unless that hobby draws you away from God, or puts you into debt, or takes an inordinate amount of money that could be put to better use. Of course that's very vague...

Our pastor actually gave us percentages for healthy spending. He calls it the 10-10-80 method. 10% goes to tithing, 10% to savings, and 80% to live on. That 80% goes to things like rent, food, clothing, as well as other things like hobbies, entertainment, buying gifts, or even giving to charity. Pray about how to spend that 80%, outside of the obvious necessities.

If you're feeling guilty about how much money you're spending on "stuff," perhaps it's time to examine that (as you are doing now). If you are feeling the pull of materialism, it may be time to cool the spending for a while. It can be like an addiction at times, and addictions of any kind are not healthy. So just pull back for a while, and see if the "desire to acquire" is still pulling on you.

I've also found that, as usual, God is very good at convicting me when I need to be convicted about my spending habits.

I set aside spending budgets for myself...~$50 per month on "luxury stuff ---> books and CDs", 10% to offerings, and the rest well...I try to balance it out in such a way, I'm saving a decent amount each month coz I will graduate at the end of this year.

I've stopped buying manga for now because it's too much on my pocket..*sniff* and mostly buy used CDs/books. I'm not really into fandom, since I rarely purchase merchandises (posters, toys, accessories).

Mave wrote:I set aside spending budgets for myself...~$50 per month on "luxury stuff ---> books and CDs", 10% to offerings, and the rest well...I try to balance it out in such a way, I'm saving a decent amount each month coz I will graduate at the end of this year.

I've stopped buying manga for now because it's too much on my pocket..*sniff* and mostly buy used CDs/books. I'm not really into fandom, since I rarely purchase merchandises (posters, toys, accessories).

Yah, Manga and Anime can create a huge hole in your pocket. I've calculated that this summer I spent about $260 on just manga Graphic Novels and Anime DVDs. That doesn't include Anime mags, Shonen Jump monthly, or anything else in that! I didn't realize I was such a crazy spender until just now. My spending habits went so out of hand that I didn't even give offering anymore!! It was really hurting me. But I'm trying to cut back now... I tried dividing my earnings into 3 catagories VD/CD, Manga/Comics, and TCGs. But that didn't last any farther than a single week. But now I'm better at it...

I really, really appriciate all the wonderful responses thus far. As ClosetOtaku pointed out, I know myself best, but I do appriciate hearing other wise voices to help me out.

As for my situation, especially with school starting soon (one I *gasp* have to pay for!) I guess I was subconsciously telling myself "now or never" instead of "now or be patient", which is always better. I have already bought some items I'm waiting to be shipped to me, (some of which are gifts so I don't feel *terribly* bad about) but after that I will probably call it quits for a good month or two and then reevaluate.

But I praise God for this--I praise Him that He has made my heart soft and willing to be worked on, and sensitive to His call; I praise Him that he has guided me with the right answers; and I praise Him because He will be faithful to complete the good works begun in me! All in all, even if I have to give up this hobby, it was all for the better!

You are a true blessing to the CAA, Ashley. That we have a shepherdess who cares so much about her flock and her own walk with God is a great gift to this community.

The fact that you ask this question, which each of needs to ask and come to a conclusion on leads me to believe you are already within God's will for you in this. He definitely delights in giving us things that make us happy. And you obviously spend a great deal of your time and resources in directly and indirectly advance the gospel and seeing to it that no rock need cry out for the lack of praise reaching God's ears.

May God bless you in your faithfulness, and may God bless the CAA.

Go, termyt! Thank you for that post.

[b]Former Movie &