Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Chester says governments want “men and money,” that Anabaptists historically wouldn’t give “men” but would give “money,” and he admits embarrassment about stinginess and “trimming corners”; how does the pursuit and protection of wealth function as a hidden form of dualism among Anabaptists, and what concrete practices would demonstrate the “generous” wholeness Chester says young people are longing to see?
Another way to ask: Chester says chasing and protecting money can hide a kind of dualism, even among Anabaptists. How might that show up, and what real habits would prove the kind of generous, whole life young people want to see?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, wealth becomes hidden dualism when Anabaptists maintain a Christian profession while protecting money through stinginess or dishonest gain; generous, consistent integrity—using money in love and refusing “trimmed corners”—would model the wholeness young people crave.
- He says governments “need men and money. We won’t give them men, but we will give them money,” noting a historical pattern.
- He admits moral inconsistency around money: “we’ve been a little bit lax… trimmed the corners on how we get money sometimes.”
- He names the reputation: “We have been known to be stingy… We have not been known to be generous… I’m embarrassed about it.”
- He interprets this as dualism: “whenever we trim and cheat a little bit, we’re into… dualism.”
- He gives the positive alternative: when “Christian principles direct in love how we use our money… then we’re healed… back to integrity.”
- He ties it to retaining youth: young people “are naturally attracted to the wholeness and integrity” and are repelled when they “don’t see it in the adults.”