What Fagin counts

Here's my article for Broughton's July Magazine:

This year's end of year production at Broughton Primary is Oliver!.   With a recent rise in anti-Semitism, it might be relevant to think about the portrayal of “the Jew” Fagin, particularly in Dickens' book, as the personification of evil.   The overt anti-Semitism we see today, and perhaps more worryingly society's lack of condemnation of that anti-Semitism, mirrors closely the Victorian cultural views around when “Oliver Twist” was written, and that we thought we'd moved on from.   However, that's a complicated topic with much nuance needed that a short article cannot adequately cover.

Instead we'll think about the much less controversial topic of money!   When Oliver is brought to Fagin by Dodger, Fagin explains what their 'business' is.  He sings “In this life / one thing counts / in the bank / large amounts. / I'm afraid these don't grow on trees / you've got to pick a pocket or two.”  Fagin is avaricious and greedy, he loves hoarding money but doesn't use it either for himself or for the boys he looks after (and who get him the money!)   Because he believes that the only thing that counts in this life is large amounts of money, his self-worth is based on how much he has, not what he does with it.   And he is prepared to do anything to increase the amount he has – or more correctly, he is prepared to let others risk themselves to increase his wealth.

The Bible has a lot to say about wealth, and it is one of Jesus' most common subjects to teach on.  In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus teaches us to store up treasure in heaven not treasure on earth, firstly because earthly treasure will perish.  Secondly, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Whatever we value most, we will strive to obtain – “you cannot serve both God and Money.”  Famously, Paul writes “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).  One of those evils is the exploitation and oppression of others to gain wealth, which is an insult to their Maker (and our Judge) (Proverbs 14:31).  Fagin gives us a working example of that evil.

We may not go as far as Fagin does, but for a lot of people their self-worth lies in how rich they are or in the things they own, and so they are never truly content because they can never have enough money, nor all the possessions they want.  Jesus teaches “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” instead we are to seek his kingdom first (Luke 12:13-34).

Fagin considers leaving his life of crime but the lure of money is too much for him.  Our attitude to money and possessions can become idolatrous and God calls us to trust him for what we need, and perhaps demonstrating that trust involves generously using what we have for the benefit of others.

Click here for other articles on Oliver!

Poppins and prayer

Here's my article for July:

@broughton_primary

This year's summer production at Broughton Primary Academy is Mary Poppins, the story of a magical nanny who comes to look after two unruly children who are trying to gain the attention and love of their strict father and pre-oocupied mother. The story starts with Mr and Mr Banks advertising for a new nanny, with help from Jane and Michael, their children. However there is a big difference between what Mr Banks is looking for and what the children are wanting.

Mr Banks thinks that a British home should be run with precision: “Tradition, discipline and rules must be the tools / Without them, disorder, catastrophe, anarchy / In short you have a ghastly mess.” Jane and Michael, however want someone who will play games, is kind and witty, and who will “Take us on outings / Give us treats / Sing songs, bring sweets. / Never be cross or cruel / Never give us castor oil or gruel / Love us as a son and daughter.” Mary Poppins arrives and responds to the children's advert, to the bemusement of Mr Banks, although she doesn't fulfil their wishes in quite the way they expect. Her first game for them is to tidy their nursery, though she finds the fun in it by animating the toys and clothes so they tidy themselves. Later on one of their outings is with their father to his workplace.

These unexpected fulfilments of wishes make me think about the topic of prayer. Often people think of prayer as being like a divine vending machine: you request something and you get it. Therefore they get disillusioned when their prayers are not answered that way and consequently doubt that God exists. Prayer, however, is much more relational than that: God hears and answers our prayers, though the answer can be 'Yes', 'No' or 'Wait' and even when the answer is 'Yes', it's not always in the way we imagined.

We see this in the prayer attributed to the late fourth century Bishop of Constantinople and famed preacher, John Chrysostom, that includes the phrase “Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them.” This asks God to answer our prayers but in the way that is best for us, which is not necessarily by giving us what we ask for nor by giving us what we want in the the way we want. And the prayer then focuses us on what is most important for us; asking God to grant us “in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come, everlasting life.” Our deepest need is to know God, both intellectually and personally, which in turn is the way to everlasting life.

So if you've been put off prayer because God hasn't seemed to answer them, I encourage you to try praying again. (For help go to www.trypraying.org). But this time be open to God granting your requests in the way he knows is best for you.

(P.S. As ever, their production was fantastic - well done to the staff and children!!)