New Voices: By and about young adults

The intersection of money, faith and work is tricky, challenging and confusing. For those of us who are affluent or middle-class, we may even avoid talking about the implications of our faith on our work and financial habits. Rachel Farrell, however, has chosen to face these implications and has made decisions in her life that would be seen as crazy to many in mainstream society, even to many Mennonites.

Rachel Farrell, 26, with her husband, Brian, has decided not to hold a regular job. She realized it would be easy to spend lots of time in a job in order to get money—and more money than she needs. Rachel knew she could get caught in that cycle and would live less intentionally than if her income matched her actual need. Therefore, Rachel works part-time—1½ days each week she makes bread for a local baker, and one day per week she helps do yard work, along with Brian. She also makes bread in exchange for produce from some friends. This work provides enough income, though the line between having no money and having enough money is thin.

This choice was partly motivated by the desire to have more time to be available as needs arose in the community. Rachel worships with the Early Church (a Mennonite congregation) and spends time with people who associate with Our Community Place (a community center and organization) and live in her neighborhood, one of the low-income areas of Harrisonburg, Va. One week she was at home wondering what her day would entail when a friend called to see if Rachel could accompany her to the hospital. This is not uncommon, and Rachel values being available at the moment of need—something often not possible with a more “normal” job.

Since her income only meets her basic needs, she also relies on foot, pedal and public transportation. This means she has increased interaction with her neighbors and people who do not use cars, whether by choice or necessity. Rather than seeking out a community like Our Community Place, where middle-class people with normal jobs can come to associate with “the disenfranchised,” Rachel is in a position that feels more authentic; she bumps into this community daily by being a part of it rather than visiting it.

Choosing not to have a normal job is not embraced in broader culture. Though Rachel has found a fairly supportive community, there are still friends and family members who do not understand her choice. By making this choice, Rachel has discovered how close her identity and self-worth were tied to having income, stability and a normal job.

Her choice is not a desire for laziness or leisure. Instead, Rachel believes everyone is called to work—knowing that meaningful work will have rewards, such as food and income. Although Rachel and Brian are more often in a perceived state of need, they’ve sought not only to be recipients of generosity from others but to offer without asking for something in return.

All these choices are grounded in Rachel and Brian’s commitment to follow Jesus and his call to be redemptive in the world. However, Rachel reflects that biblical guidance appears paradoxical on wealth, work and the poor, and Jesus’ actions and words are difficult to translate except for an emphasis on loving relationships. Commands to do good things for the poor/fatherless/widow are clear, but Rachel wonders about the efficacy of her approach and the ultimate importance of these commands. Without clear directives for daily living there is a challenge to chart the right course, though Rachel is committed to live into that challenge with purpose and conviction and with humility.

She respects the inherent diversity in the body of Christ, where each of us is called to be a different part of the body, which means we don’t all look alike.

Rachel’s bold witness has provoked me to ask hard questions about my approach to money, faith and work—a wrestling that is a challenge in our society and in our churches.

Sharon Kniss wrestles with these questions living on a modest income and working a “normal” 40-hour job every week. She attends Our Community Place, in Harrisonburg, Va.