Time and Wealth - Friday, January 20

Today’s visit with Bishop Msangi was very interesting and educational. We discussed the church in Tanzania, how it functions, and some of the differences he sees between the ELCT and ELCA. He was very gracious in welcoming us and had many interesting comments. Over tea and coffee with many members of the church staff, we discussed, after prompting from Don, specific differences in the US church versus the church in Tanzania regarding our views of time. Cultural differences are obvious, but one of the most obvious differences seems to be how our cultures perceive time. Knowing that church services in Tanzania tend to last two or more hours, we were wondering how/what allows people to stay attentive for such long times. Tanzanian’s have a saying, “Time is (h)ours.” The pun gives much insight into how our two cultures operate and how we choose to spend our time. We, in the United States, tend to over schedule our lives until we are so busy that there is no room for living. Time is not ours. I remember learning this lesson during previous experiences abroad, but it’s amazing how quickly I’ve forgotten, or rather, justified the actions and habits that allow time to have a strangle-hold on my life, all in the name of “success.”

Bishop Msangi also observed, I think correctly, that wealth in the United States and poverty in Tanzania both may lead to the same end. The wealthy, self-sufficient American may arrogantly conclude that he no longer needs God; he can look after himself. Likewise, the poverty-stricken Tanzanian may say, “Why do I need God? What has he done for me?” Both of these contrasting situations seem to pull us away from a right relationship with God. It would seem that our two cultures have more in common than is first realized. It seems that the constant craving for entertainment in our culture also serves to deflect our attention away from service and worship and towards personal satisfaction and entertainment.