Imagine living in a space the size of a 1-car garage—and paying $3500 a month! You can have this experience right now in New York City at Carmel Place, a 55 unit development of “micro apartments” that range in size from 250 – 360 square feet. In order build such small studio apartments, the developer had to agree to make 40% of the units “affordable” –reducing the rent to about $1500 a month. Who would want such a small living space? So far 60,000 people have placed their names into the lottery for the “affordable” units. Because of the demand, critics are concerned that smaller may not turn out to be cheaper going forward.

Watch for the trend for micro apartments to spread to other large cities. Already, there is a proposal for tiny studios in Logan Square targeting young singles who are looking for an affordable place without having to share it with a roommate. It will likely be unaffordable for most people.

JAMES 5:1-5

Without employment and living wages, people are at risk of homelessness and housing instability. God also seems very upset at the income gap—some are living in great luxury while others have little or nothing.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Does James suggest an answer to this problem?
2. Does the gospel have an answer to this problem? If so, what?

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a household would need more than one full time minimum wage worker to afford a two-bedroom rental apartment at fair market rent anywhere in the country. In Chicago, it’s even worse. A person must earn at least $47,067 to afford a median priced one bedroom apartment in Logan Square. Need something larger to accommodate a family? You’ll need to earn at least $70,237! A person making minimum wage ($10 per hour) would need to work 135 hours each week—the equivalent of three full time jobs and 1 part time job! Why do you think so many people are opposed to increasing the minimum wage? If we cannot raise the minimum wage, what other ways could we make housing more affordable for families? Contact Logan Square Neighborhood Association to find out about affordable housing initiatives.

A glow in the dark toilet.  Yes, it is a real product.  And lots of people will spend upwards of $20 plus tax just for the novelty of it.  Hopefully, you’ll resist the temptation–and think of better uses for $20 this Lent.

JEREMIAH 22:13-17

God, through Jeremiah, condemns those who “build palaces by unrighteousness and upper rooms by injustice” and identifies the source of this opulence as the unpaid wages of the workers.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you think God’s condemnation is relevant today? If so, how?
2. What is the answer to Jeremiah’s question: “Does it make a person a king if he has more and more cedar?”
3. Why then, do we aspire to accumulation of luxury goods and high-end amenities for our homes?
4. What actions ensure that it will “go well” with us?
5. What does it look like to “defend the cause of the poor and the needy”?

LUKE 12:13-21

Jesus told this parable in the context of a family quarrel over how the inheritance would be divided. The rich farmer’s ultimate goal was to “live comfortably” and he was willing to ignore God’s law to reach it. (The Law stipulated that the poor, the widow and the alien be given access to the fields to glean the extra.)

Questions for Reflection:

1. Jesus warns against “all kinds of greed.” How do you known when greed is motivating your actions and decisions?
2. Is desiring to “live comfortably” a kind of greed? Why or why not?
3. When have you been tempted to “upgrade” when you have more than enough?
4. What would you say to someone who suggested that God wants to bless people with “comfortable living”?

This week, thousands of people will converge on McCormick Place in Chicago for the annual International Home and Housewares Show where they will see all the latest innovations in home appliances and trends in home fashion.  While the show is not open to the public, the housewares will soon show up in stores–which means they will show up in ads and sale papers and ultimately your house.  (At least that’s what the 2,000+ exhibitors at the show are hoping.)

In 2014, Americans spent $47 billion on small appliances,  non-electric housewares and home fashions (Source: the NPD Group), a 1% increase from 2013.  For the second year, blenders trended up significantly.  And most people do not purchase new items because their old appliances no longer work, but to upgrade to something they perceive as “better”.

Imagine what we could do if we opted to keep our old, perfectly functional, toasters and blenders for one more year.  Imagine if we chose to spend 10% less ($4.7 billion) on kitchen gadgets to make sure others have a kitchen.

LUKE 16:19-31

The rich man in Jesus’ story lives in a “gated community” while homeless Lazarus begs at the corner. Do you think the rich man is even aware of Lazarus? Please note that the rich man was not condemned for being rich, but for living rich every day in the face of extreme poverty.

Questions for Reflection:

1. From what you have learned from “Moses and the prophets” what would God want us to do in relationship to Lazarus?
2. While we often see homeless people in our community, it is more difficult to see those who are housing insecure. How can you become more aware of those who are struggling to maintain stable housing?  
3. Why is homelessness tolerated in your community?

Here is another book that looks at the history of housing injustice and the exploitation of the poor.  Beryl Satter’s Family Properties looks at the work of her father, Mark Satter, an early civil rights attorney that fought against Chicago’s racist housing policies and real estate practices.  Mr. Satter, who was called “The Clarence Darrow of the Bankrupt” by one Chicago newspaper, died of heart failure at age 49 in 1965–the year before Martin Luther King, Jr. brought the Civil Rights movement north to Chicago.    The New York Times review from 2009 can be read HERE.

MICAH 4:1-4

God, through Micah, envisions a time when conflict and war will be over and everyone will be at peace. Many people are displaced because of international war or internal civil conflicts. Syrians fleeing the violence of civil war have dominated the news, but displacement is happening everywhere. The UN Refugee agency estimates that over 60 million people are currently displaced around the world. Millions of people live in temporary camps that are often over-crowded and dangerous while waiting to return to their homes or be resettled into a safer place.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What words does the image of sitting under a vine or a fig tree bring to your mind?
2. To fulfill God’s vision, what is one thing that you as a person of faith do to make it a blessed reality?

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

In January, 2016, while the US committed to receive additional Syrian refugees, agents from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) rounded up hundreds of undocumented immigrants from Central America and prepared them for deportation. Most of these people—including families with young children—had left their homes to flee violence. Why are some accepted and other’s deported? The US does not give “refugee status” to people fleeing from Central America. Many people say the US has a “hemispheric bias” that is inherently unjust. Read more about how churches are responding to the inconsistency of US policy HERE.

There is no devotional for Sunday, March 6, 2016.

Matthew Desmond’s new book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, looks at the exploitation of the poor in the urban housing market–exploitation that is supported by private interests AND public policy and procedures.   He suggests that there is a simple way to ensure all low-income families receive adequate, affordable housing: expand housing vouchers.  Before you say, “We could never afford that!”, remember that we can “afford” housing assistance for the wealthy (think tax deductions for mortgage interest on multiple homes).  Read more about the book and Desmond’s research HERE.