Recently I was reading a Fortune Magazine article about the San Francisco 49ers new $1.3 billion high-tech stadium, set to open in 2014. The new Levi’s Stadium, which has already been selected to host the 50th Anniversary Super Bowl in 2016, has stated that its goal is to “reinvent the sports fan’s experience.” Much of this enhanced experience involves utilizing technology to have needs met without even having to leave your seat.
“To hardcore fans, the picture the 49ers paint of the tech-enabled game day is tantalizing. To begin with, everyone in the stadium will be able to order food from smartphones or tablets for pickup or in-seat delivery. If you’re feeling the need for a pit stop, you can check the wait times at the closest restroom…If your daughter wears you down and persuades you to buy her a Kaepernick jersey, you can order it from your seat, and have it waiting at the team store for you to pick up on the way out.”*
Tantalizing, indeed. For if the stadium delivers on its promise, pointing out needs electronically will result in needs being met quickly and thoroughly, because the stadium management realizes every need is an opportunity.
Empowering Action, at its core, is about pointing out needs that exist in impoverished areas around the globe and encouraging believers to seize the opportunity to contribute, because every need represents an opportunity to “let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
In doing so, Empowering Action is in good company for the Apostle Paul himself had no problem pointing out needs and urging believers to respond. While ministering among the Gentiles in Greece, Paul made them aware of needs within the suffering church in Jerusalem.
“Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (Romans 15:25-27)
In fact, Paul assumes that financial aid for the needy is a normal part of the Christian life. He is correct in doing so, for unlike the cutting edge technology of the new 49ers stadium, which over time will eventually become obsolete, the call for Christians to “open their arms to the poor and extend their hands to the needy” (Prov. 31:20) will never be outdated.
* Source: http://levisstadium.com/headlines/reinventing-football-fortune-magazine
