HOME | DD
CartoonistWill — African Faith
Published: 2011-09-22 21:16:53 +0000 UTC; Views: 4411; Favourites: 164; Downloads: 27
Redirect to original
Description
www.patreon.com/GospelmanMinis…This was from an idea I got while sitting in church. I can't remember what was being preached, but the preacher mentioned a man who, living with nothing but some clothes and a Bible in a mud hut as the leader of his village, visited America and was glad to leave as he feared the comforts here would cause him to not have to trust so heavily in the Lord. We believers in America and other 1st world countries have it easy most of the time. Those who live in 3rd world countries, etc, know what faith is. They have to trust in God every day even for the things we take for granted like food, shelter, and safety. And their relationship with Jesus Christ is even stronger because of it.
And, oh yeah, that's supposed to be me on the left. Look at me. All smug and American. How dare I, lol.
Related content
Comments: 99
I realize both are pretty smug in their own way. The affluent American looks down on the Africans for unsanitary conditions, inconsistent food supplies, and other media sensationalized ruckus about how sucky Africa can be for people, while the Africa looks down on the American for the dampened spirituality in America because of its abundance while showing great pride in the aspect of faith being more important than lifestyle stability or prosperity. In a way, both are full of it for different reasons because they're prays are based on condescending pity.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Not really what I was trying to capture, but the interpretation is worth consideration. I was just basing it on the observation of a missionary that had lived in Africa that Christians' faith and walk with God there is stronger than in America because they are more dependent on Him. The insight he gained from this is that we Americans, as the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31, and Luke 18:18–30, often fall into the pit of trusting in the securities that our wealth affords us than in trusting in God.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Apologies, that whole spiel on my part was just my perceptions on the matter. Whenever I hear about people eschewing from the comforts of modern living because they fear it would somehow cause them to not have to trust so heavily in the Lord, it comes off as sanctimonious and downright arrogant in a minimalist sense. Like having less or engaging in more basic living is somehow more virtuous for worship. Comes off as insufferably smug to me which is funny considering how Pride is such a tenuous and the most serious sin in Christianity. Plus considering the whole aspects of Free Will and Personal Responsibility taught in the Bible, wouldn't becoming depending on Him to fix earthly issues time and time again be a bad thing? Like a child too dependent on their parents to fix their problems?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Not necessarily, since it is God we are talking about. He sustains the entire creation. The problem, I think, is when the center of our worship and prayer is on ourselves and our own needs, wants, and desires instead of on God Himself. So I think the problem isn't depending upon God too much - and, yes, I do believe God wants us to get up and go do things after we ask in prayer, not just sit still and wait for Him to do everything (unless He's commanded such in a very specific scenario) - but on self-centered prayer and religion. Unfortunately, most of us, myself included, often fall into this, focusing too much on what God can do for us instead of on God Himself. It's often a struggle to come into prayer before Him without an ulterior motive of just wanting something. I think simply using God as a means to and end instead of fellow-shipping with and loving Him is the real problem. Not that we don't, but I often wish I did more loving and spending time with God in my life than on constantly petitioning Him for things all of the time. Some of those things are within His will, however, like the salvation of my wife's uncle recently, in which He did grant, so I'm not saying that asking God for things is wrong, just that I believe my prayer life is imbalanced.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Frankly everyone's prayer life seems imbalanced to me, so don't be too hard on yourself. I can't think of a single person in my whole life who loved God for the sake of love itself instead of just loving God as a crutch for personal weakness and selfish desires. People use God as a patsy, enabler, and a scapegoat instead of looking up to God to make the world better. It's why Christians get such a bad rap.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks! I'm glad for all of the positive comments on it. I never would have imagined that something so simple would generate so much emotions and responses. That's how God works sometimes.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're welcome! 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
There was an interesting comment made by a Christian who actually lives over there, and apparently it is (I think?). Go browse through the comments and check it out! He works at an orphanage.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is so close to where I live it's not even funny! Well... It IS funny... the cartoon anyway. Check out my Journal on Culture Shock.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is a nice message
and all, but.. only the Africans who are Christians? Africa have the biggest diversity of religions in the world..
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're right, it does have an extremely large diversity of religions.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Two sides of the coin. So right, we do take for granted our many choices.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Whoa, this really opened my eyes!
In 1st world countries, we put so much emphasis on material things, when arguably, you could say we are spiritually poor. Thanks for sharing, God bless!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
THIS. Seriously. This.
... and I am just like you. Go figure. D: *Sighs* I guess situations have to slap me HARD before I can even make my relationship true with God.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
we have to be thankful for all we are Blessed and keep our Faith strong
I love this drawing and the message
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This a really good point. Making me thankful.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
aw, i luv this! totally awesome~!! and so true...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Woah. God totally told me the same thing last night. I was thanking God for all the blessings I had when I realized some of the things I have are not really blessings but they are distractions. He told me I would be just as well of, if not better living with a lot less. Right now, looking around my room at all the crap I have; I totally believe it. None of this stuff makes me any happier. It just keeps me entertained until I get my next big toy. I have so many things that serves as just decoration. Are you kidding me? Decoration? That is it's only purpose? I was watching a TV show last night that has become one of my new favorite shows and I realized after watching it that I felt horrible because I just wanted MORE. It's a TV show, I know that's what the people who make the show want you think so that you will watch the next episode, but I could have spent my time doing something way better. Why am I wasting my time and money on all these stupid things when I could be investing them in so many more things that will be ETERNAL.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is great. Thanks for sharing your idea with us.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Brilliant and thought provoking. Thank you for sharing it with us on dA.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's a very good idea. God is using you to remind us to be happy with what we have because there are people who don't have a whole lot. This also reminds us to be faithful and trust in God. It's hard but we do our best. That's why I doing my best to give some of my stuff away like old toys and clothing.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's awesome! I actually work for the Goodwill, a chain of donation stores that uses its profits to help train people so that they can get jobs, but I also like to donate things straight to those who need them.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks! I'm sorry I never got back with you about your input into Gospelman. I've just been VERY busy
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's all right 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I am!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Wow, that really is awesome news 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks, glad you like!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is so true! I'm very sure that people who don't rely on belongings and stuff have a much stronger fatih since they won't be distracted then we are with all our stuff!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad you see where I was trying to go with this comic.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I think so.. He also said when we want to follow him, we have to sell our belongings and give the money to the poor! Okay I admit that I never did that.. But we might turn greedy if we have a lot of belongings.. Christ is more important than that
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I always wondered what He meant by that. Maybe that was specifically what Christ wanted that man to do because He knew if he didn't that he would never truly trust in Him?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
| Next =>